Sgp Country Programme Strategy for Op7

SGP COUNTRY PROGRAMME STRATEGY FOR OP7

PREPARED BY

THE ROYAL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY (RSS)

SUBMITTED TO

GEF SMALL GRANTS PROGRAMME

FEBRUARY 2020

Table of Contents 1. Background:...... 3 2. SGP country programme - background ...... 3 1.1. SGP country programme-OP6 ...... 3 3. SGP country programme niche...... 8 2.1 Alignment with national priorities dates of the country ratification of the relevant Rio Conventions and relevant national planning frameworks: ...... 8 3. OP7 strategies ...... 17 4. Expected results framework ...... 41 5. Monitoring & Evaluation plan ...... 46 6. Resource mobilization plan ...... 48 7. Risk Management Plan ...... 49 8. Gender ...... 51 9. Knowledge Management ...... 52 10. National Steering Committee Endorsement ...... 52 Annex 1 ...... 54 Baseline Assessment Report ...... 54 Annex 2 ...... 81 Letter of Agreement Concerning Establishing Regional Coordination Framework, Between GEF SGP Jordan and GEF SGP Palestinian Authority ...... 81

SGP COUNTRY PROGRAMME STRATEGY FOR OP7 ------

COUNTRY: The Hashemite Kingdome of Jordan

Total OP7 resources (estimated US$)1 1,250,000

a. Core funds: 400,000 b. OP6 remaining balance: 0 c. STAR funds: 650,000 d. Other Funds to be mobilized: ICCA 200,000

1. BACKGROUND:

As a GEF corporate programme, SGP aligns its operational phase strategies to that of the GEF, and provides a series of demonstration projects for further scaling up, replication and mainstreaming. Action at the local level by civil society, indigenous peoples and local communities is deemed a vital component of the GEF 20/20 Strategy (i.e. convening multi-stakeholder alliances to deliver global environmental benefits and contribute to UNDP’s Strategic Plan and focus on sustainable development).2 At the global level, the SGP OP6 programme goal is to “effectively support the creation of global environmental benefits and the safeguarding of the global environment through community and local solutions that complement and add value to national and global level action.”

2. SGP COUNTRY PROGRAMME - BACKGROUND

1.1. SGP country programme-OP6

(1): The level of SGP OP6 resources is an estimated total of: (i) the GEF6 core grant allocation (to be reviewed annually by CPMT on the basis of performance, co-financing and strategic partnerships, demonstrated NSC commitment rates, and UNOPS delivery); (ii) approved STAR resources; as well as (iii) other sources of third party cost sharing & co- financing (country, regional and/or global levels). Note that countries with remaining OP5 balances that have not been pipelined, will be expected to use these balances in line with the OP6 strategic approach in order to be coherent in terms of SGP programming and results expected. (2): The initial SGP OP6 concept was incorporated into the strategic directions for the overall GEF-6 replenishment, and subsequently approved by the GEF Council paper “GEF Small Grants Programme: Implementation Arrangements for GEF-6” (GEF/C.46/13) in May 2014. 3

Jordan’s GEF SGP was initiated in 1993, and provided a support of 5.5 Million USD for 200 projects in six operation cycles. Previous cycles made several accomplishments in the six GEF focal areas, which are Biodiversity, Capacity Development, Climate Change, Land Degradation, and Chemicals and Waste. Also, the projects funded during the previous cycle have covered all parts of Jordan as shown in Figure (1) and Figure (2).

OP6 Funded Projects Areas

National level Balqa, 4%Mafraq, 0% Jarash Madaba, 4% National level, Irbid Tafilah, 2% 16% Amman Ma'an, 4% Karak Ajloun Aqaba, 10% Az Zarqa Jarash, 16% Aqaba Az Zarqa, 4% Ma'an Tafilah Madaba Ajloun, 10% Balqa Mafraq Irbid, 14% Karak, 6% Amman, 10%

Figure (1): The distribution of SGP projects during OP6 across Jordan based on governorate level.

Capacity OP6 PROJECT THEME Development Capacity 10% Development Climate Change Climate Change 6%

Land Degradation Land Degradation Chemicals and 8% Waste Biodiversity Biodiversity Chemicals and 70% Waste 6%

Figure (2): The distribution of SGP projects during OP6 across Jordan based on thematic areas.

The SGP country program has been successful in generating unprecedented levels of grassroots awareness of global environmental issues, and promoted good governance approaches among wide range of stakeholders. Moreover, the SGP country program has played an important role in promoting sustainable livelihoods that allows communities and households to achieve both global and local benefits in the GEF focal areas while improving their economic conditions. By providing financial and technical support to the local community members, community-based organizations (CBOs) and civil society organizations (CSOs), the program has contributed to meeting GEF’s environmental objectives/ local environmental priorities; while at the same time achieving poverty reduction and local empowerment objectives.

Projects and initiatives implemented under the previous phases focused on local communities, considering gender equality, thus supporting the larger sustainable development goals and the achievement of key components of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) . The capacity development activities offered by the program have strengthened the role and influence of NGOs/CBOs in decision making process. Moreover, a considerable contribution was made by the program towards the implementation of Multi-Lateral Environmental Agreement (MEAs), namely; CBD, UNFCCC and UNCCD and assist the Jordanian government to meet the national obligations. Previous phases have equally assisted the concerned institutions in raising awareness among the different sectors including the importance of conserving the natural resources and the sustainable uses of their services and products.

A total of 50 projects were funded through GEF SGP OP6 over the period of 2016-2019, with grant amount of 1,148,200 USD and co-financing reached up to 1.2 million USD (Table 1). Also, 68% of the funded NGOs during OP6 were inside the selected landscape (Northern Mountain Terrain), 16% of the funded project was outside the selected landscape and 16% of the funded project was at the national level as shown in Table (2). Biodiversity projects have received more attention during the OP6.

Table (1): Number of projects per focal area awarded during the OP6 (2016-2019)

Focal Area Number of Projects Grant Amount

Biodiversity 35 727 250 USD

Climate Change 3 75 000 USD

Capacity Development 5 124 950 USD

Persistent Organic Pollutants 3 75 000 USD (chemical and waste)

Land Degradation 4 121 000 USD

Table (2): Number of projects per focal area awarded during the OP6 (2016-2019) Area Number of Projects Percent (%) Target Selected Landscape (Northern 34 68% 70% Mountain Terrain) Outside the selected landscape 8 16% 30% National level 8 16%

1.2 Overall situation analysis for the SGP country programme in OP7, including major partnerships, and existing sources of co-financing: Recently, the Government of released the Environment Protection Law No (6) 2017 instead of Environment Protection Law 2006. The new law focused on habitat protection, establishment of the protected areas, bio-safety, and genetically modified organisms which are in compliance with OP7 focus areas and its strategic initiatives. In addition, strengthening of penalties against violation for certain activities, such as illegal logging, land encroachment into protected areas, and coral trade was also mentioned in the law.

The Ministry of Environment (MOEnvi) is currently developing several initiatives, in accordance with OP7 such as the State of Environment Report. In addition, several projects relevant to OP7 are being implemented such as “Mainstreaming Rio Convention Provisions into National Sectoral Policies” project and. The MOEnvi contributed to the GEO 6 assessment, and recently updated the Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) and National Action Plan (NAP) to combat desertification, in addition to the development of the national policy for climate change.

NGOs sector in Jordan is playing a significant role in the protection of the environment. NGOs work at the grass-roots level and hence they are familiar with particular local conditions. So far, more than 100 NGOs are working in the field of environment in Jordan either directly or indirectly. Although part of these NGOs have a national mandate, and others are local (village\ community or base level organizations), but both are directly interact with local people. Most of the NGOs rely on international funding to sustain their works and activities, with little seed fund from government. On the other hand, NGO work is confined to a specific defined area, and hence NGOs can contribute little in terms of overall policy formation. However, some governmental agencies in Jordan have started to engage NGOs in relevant meetings at which national policies are discussed.

Even when they are invited, owing to their lack of a statutory mandate they can only make recommendations to the policy makers.

Nevertheless, there are a number of good examples of partnerships between government and NGOs such as: MoEnv-RSCN, ASEZA -JREDS and MoEnv-RSS. However, lack of knowledge amongst the public regarding the environmental issues in Jordan is considered a big challenge. The consultation meetings that were conducted as part of developing this current strategy (OP7) revealed that raising awareness for all environmental issues is a critical need. This is in consistence with findings of the National Capacity Self-Assessment for Global Environmental Management in Jordan (NCSA) which state, “The knowledge barrier in Jordan is the most important because of the limited information and weak knowledge generation and processing, especially regarding environmental management.”

At regional level, the GEF SGP Jordan has signed a letter of agreement with the GEF SGP Palestinian Authority to achieve the shared goal of conserving and securing the regional environmental benefits in the GEF SGP focal areas. The agreement identified the working principles between the GEF SGP in Jordan and the Palestinian Authority National Focus Group (NFG), where consultation and exchange of information as well as the development of a knowledge network are highlighted as the main principles. The agreement will cover the implementation period of the GEF SGP Seven Operational Phase (OP7) and will be managed by a Regional Steering Committee (RSC) that comprises of a total of six members from the Jordanian NSC and the Palestinian Authority NFG. The letter of agreement between the GEF SGP Jordan and GEF SGP Palestinian Authority is shown in Annex 2.

1.3 Lessons learned and experience of past projects can serve as a foundation for the effective implementation of SGP initiatives in OP7: The OP7 will build up on the successes that have been achieved under the previous projects. Previous projects have already contributed in developing capacity of wide range of stakeholders; such capacities include but not limited to proposal writing, integrated implementation, financial management and networking skills which will be available in future to contribute to any potential initiatives under OP7.

Previous projects have documented lists of lessons learned which could be of benefits in identifying and dealing with the risks that can affect achievement of project objectives under OP7. These lessons learned would make a good guidance towards maximizing the impacts of projects under OP7 as well as setting up the appropriate monitoring and control framework for the projects.

Previous projects have also established a good level of coordination and collaboration among so many agencies, assets and infrastructure that could be harnessed for the benefit of new potential projects under OP7. Moreover, sharing of knowledge, experience and success stories from previous stages would be of the utmost importance for the OP7 strategic initiatives. New proposals under

OP7 can be linked to previous projects and thus, maximizing the benefits and scaling up the success experiments.

Networking and communications skills have been one of the indirect impacts of the SGP during the previous phases, where NGOs have become capable to approach other donors and get funds for environmental projects based on the success made through SGP projects.

3. SGP COUNTRY PROGRAMME NICHE

2.1 Alignment with national priorities dates of the country ratification of the relevant Rio Conventions and relevant national planning frameworks:

Table (3): List of relevant conventions and national/regional plans or programmes Date of ratification / Rio Conventions + national planning frameworks completion UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) 1992 CBD National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2003/updated 2015 Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) 2014 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 1993 (1997, 2009, 2011, UNFCCC National Communications (1st, 2nd, 3rd , 4th ) 2014) UNFCCC Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMA) 2005 Paris Agreement 2015 UNFCCC National Adaptation Plans of Action (NAPA) 2008 UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) 1996 UNCCD National Action Programmes (NAP) to Combat Désertification (2015-2020) 2006/updated 2015 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) 2004 SC National Implémentation Plan (NIP) 2005 GEF National Capacity Self-Assessment (NCSA) 2006 Strategic Action Programmes (SAPs) for shared international water-bodies 1 1995 Minamata Convention on Mercury 2013

2.2. Opportunities in line with the national environmental priorities to promote the meaningful involvement of communities and civil society organizations in their further development or updates as well as national implementation. Environmental NGOs, CBOs and other local CSOs have been dealing directly and actively with environmental challenges at the local and national level. New environmental NGOs with modern and specialized structures have been established in the last couple of years with overarching goal

(1): Please identify existing IW regional projects and the regional SAPs adopted by countries sharing international waterbodies so as to align SGP local interventions. Please check this website to find some of the SAPs: http://iwlearn.net/publications/SAP 8

of changing the landscape of the environmental civil society in Jordan with better focus on youth, entrepreneurship and technical specialization.

The emerging national trends for decentralization and enhanced local involvement in natural resource management will provide communities with more empowerment to take action at the local level. The GEF SGP can provide emerging local NGOs with the required capacity and tools for gaining more leverage at the local level and to provide technically-sound and proven-local solutions for local development challenges in a sustainable manner.

Most of the conventions and national/regional plans and programs listed above have included a clear mentioning of the importance of having local communities and civil society organizations engaged in their national implementation and development. The recent updates of the UNCCD National Action Programs (NAP) to combat desertification have been developed in a full coordination with the concerned NGOs. The recent assessment of the NAP-2006 against the UNCCD 10-year strategy revealed several strategic gaps including lack of a communication strategy to raise awareness of local stakeholders, lack of a national monitoring program to track the changes and trends in the conditions of affected populations and ecosystems and Lack of promoting awareness and traditional knowledge of local populations, particularly women and youth, and civil society organizations in the implementation NAP programs. From the operational perspective, low engagement of different stakeholders in national committees relevant to Desertification, Land degradation and Drought (DLDD) was addressed as the main gap. This included low engagement of environmental CBOs as well as human rights NGOs, in national committees relevant to DLDD issues in addition to lacking of gender representatives and consideration of gender issues as a whole.

Accordingly, the aligned National Action Plan (NAP) to Combat Desertification in Jordan (2015- 2020) consists of a clear operational objective where the involvement of civil society organizations (CSOs) in awareness and advocacy initiatives related to DLDD is considered as the main assessment indicator. Likewise, the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2015-2020 (NBSAP) has clearly referred to participation of all stakeholders including CSOs, practitioners and beneficiaries so as to achieve the new vision for Jordan’s biodiversity. The NBSAF document vividly named several NGOs/CSOs whom they will be integral to the implementation process of the updated NBSAF 2020, namely The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), the Royal Botanic Garden and the Royal Marine Conservation Society of Jordan, and a number of national universities and academic institutions each in its respective mandate, competency, and area of interest.

As part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Jordan’s Third National Communication (TNC) on Climate Change (2014) pointed out several mitigation scenarios and adaption measures to cope with climate uncertainty. Climate sensitivity indicators in all sectors were determined and accordingly a set of adaptation measures were elaborated in the TNC report, including the expected impacts of climate change on local communities. The TNC clearly refers to the substantial role of local communities, and women to enhance the adaptive capacity of

vulnerable communities by supporting the local NGOs along with increasing the labor productivity of rural women through improved access to training, extension services and technology.

Looking at the International Waters, Jordan has participated in the Strategic Action Programme (SAP) for the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden which was initiated in October 1995. SAP aims at developing a regional framework for the protection of the environment and the sustainable development of coastal and marine resources. As part of SAP, Jordan has set priority actions to conserve the marine ecosystem and to improve the environmental management along the Gulf of Aqaba. The priority actions included, but not limited, to recruitment and training of staff to implement regulations for new coastal development to reduce physical threats to coral reef ecosystems and capacity building of staff and other stakeholders in pollution prevention and advocacy.

Accordingly, it is envisaged that there is unlimited opportunities and great potential for NGOs/CSOs to play a key role in the future updates of such documents as well as in their implementation.

2.3. As part of the OP7 strategic directions at the national level, below are the potential synergies for selected complementary OP7 strategic initiatives with:

a) Government funded projects and programmes

Jordanian government, represented by the Ministry of Environment (MoEnv), Ministry of Water and Irrigation (MoWI), Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Ministry of Municipality Affairs (MoMA), and Ministry of Social Development (MoSD), has been cooperating and co-financing several projects, which is in accordance with the strategic initiatives of OP7. The following represent some of the current governmental projects that have potentials of synergies with OP7 strategic initiatives:

• National Green Growth Plan (NGGP): Jordan has initiated the development of the National Green Growth Plan for Jordan (NGGP) to form a roadmap with key building blocks that places the country on a sustainable, green growth path. The NGGP is the result of a wide consultative effort. Over a period of two years, extensive engagement of Ministries, environmental agencies and the private sector resulted in the formation of a group of green growth experts and supporters. The Ministry of Environment has been working with these stakeholders from 2014 – 2016 to develop strategic guidance on green growth planning and implementation. This National Green Growth Plan, 2017 (NGGP) seeks to understand what prevents Jordan from implementing the goals established in Jordan’s current plans and strategies, and offers suggestions in the context of green growth for other aspirations that will help to futureproof Jordan’s Vision. NGGP has set out the opportunities that exist in Jordan and makes suggestions for ways to overcome key barriers to green growth.

• Water quality monitoring along the Jordan Valley: this project started in 1997 and is being implemented by RSS. The project is financially supported by Ministry of Water and Irrigation/Jordan Valley Authority (JVA) and aims at evaluating the quality of water along the

Jordan valley landscape, including some transboundary water resources such as Jordan River, Yarmouk River, Disi Aquifer and Wehda Dam. This is in synergy with the GEF focal area of International Waters and can be come under the strategic initiative of OP7 when talking about landscape/seascape conservation.

• Protection of the environment and biodiversity in Jordan (PROTEB): this project is implemented by the Ministry of Environment and funded by German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The project started in 2013 for three years with overall objective of protecting the country’s natural resources and marine and terrestrial ecosystems through holding environmental campaigns, waste management and recycling along with capacity building at all levels.

• Sustainable use of ecosystem services in Jordan – Energy and Climate Fund (EKF-ESS) (2014- 2019). The implementing agency of this project is the Ministry of Environment and seeks to cooperate with non-governmental organizations, the private sector and local governments to promote selected practical examples from the ecotourism sector as well as recreation areas for local residents. The last two projects are synergistic with the recommended OP7 strategic initiatives of community landscape/seascape conservation and low carbon energy access co-benefits. b) UNDP CO/UN System projects and programmes to implement the CPD, UNDAF, Strategic Plan are represented by the followings:

▪ The UNDP strategic plan for ensuring participation and voice in pursuit of equitable access to development opportunities and gains across the population, working with the poor and other excluded groups, whether women, youth, indigenous peoples or the disabled, as agents of their own development. This is completely compatible with SGP OP7 strategic initiatives of CSO-government policy and planning dialogue platforms; Youth involvement and Indigenous Peoples fellowships.

▪ The UNDP strategy of inclusive and effective democratic governance systems that can deliver sustainable solutions to poverty, inequality and exclusion is related to SGP OP7 strategic initiatives of "social inclusion" and "CSO-Government dialogue platforms".

▪ The UNDP strategic plan for sustainable access to energy and improved energy efficiency. SGP OP7 can contribute in this strategic plan by several means, including promoting policy, legal and regulatory frameworks as well as building institutional capacities that would lower investment risks, broaden and deepen markets, and strengthen private- and public-sector capacities to expand investment and increase access to sustainable energy at the national and sub-national levels.

▪ One of the strategic principles of UNDP plan (2018-2021) is to “gender equality and women’s empowerment” which is in compliance with SGP OP7 strategy of gender mainstreaming and youth involvement. ▪ Jordan has institutionalized improved social protection and poverty alleviation mechanisms for vulnerable people at national and sub-national levels, thus matching the overarching vision of UNDP i.e. to help countries achieve the simultaneous eradication of poverty and significant reduction of inequalities and exclusion. The initiatives to be implemented under OP7 will include for instance income-generation projects and a number of activities that will strengthen youth and gender mainstreaming, therefore will eventually complement other efforts aiming to achieve this outcome. GEF funded projects in Jordan, National Portfolio Formulation Exercises (NPFEs), ongoing and planned FSPs, MSPs, and Integrated Approach Pilots (IAPs) as relevant:

Another project of relevance is the “Mainstreaming Rio Convention Provisions into National Sectoral Policies”. It is also funded by GEF and implemented by UNDP and MoEnv. The project aims at delivering global environmental benefits through more holistic and effective management of the natural environment to meet national socio-economic priorities and to mainstream Rio Convention provisions into three key national sectoral policies. These projects go hand-in-hand with SGP OP7 strategic initiatives, particularly Community landscape/seascape conservation; CSO-government policy and planning dialogue platforms and Climate smart innovative agro-ecology.

C. Other major Donor projects and programs are listed below:

1. Integrated Ecosystem Management in the Jordan Rift Valley: This project was implemented by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) and funded by GEF and aimed at establishing of four protected areas in Jordan (Yarmouk, Fifa, Qatar and Jabal Masuda) and seven special conservation areas along the Jordan rift valley area. This project was initiated in 2008 over six year's period. CPS OP7 can build up on the outputs and success of this project to achieve the strategic initiatives of community landscape conservation along with indigenous people fellowships.

2. UNDP solid waste projects: UNDP programmes on sound waste management for non- hazardous waste streams are highly decentralized to UNDP Country Offices, namely Jordan. Around 20 UNDP Country Offices world-wide are engaged in general, typically municipal, waste related projects or activities. UNDP’s waste projects are grass roots activities, involving local communities and NGOs in addressing local needs by applying practical waste management solutions. This is in synergy with the strategic initiative of community landscape conservation; CSO- government policy and planning dialogue platforms and Low carbon energy access co-benefits in CPS OP7 strategy.

3. USAID Civil Initiative Support Program (USAID CIS) (2013-2018): aims at cultivating a strong and vibrant civil society in Jordan through supporting a broad range of civic initiatives. Working at both national and local levels, it supports civic initiatives and advocacy

responding to common interests; strengthens the organizational capacity of civil society organizations; and promotes Government of Jordan-civil society collaboration efforts to address reform and development challenges. One interesting environmental project that was funded by this program was “enhancing the environmental resilience of Syrian refugees hosting communities in Jordan” which matches SGP OP7 strategic initiative of Global reach for citizen practice based knowledge programme and CSO-government policy and planning dialogue platforms.

4. Refugee-oriented projects funded by UNHCR, OXFAM and UNICEF: given the big refugee influx into Jordan, particularly the Syrians, an extra pressure on ecosystem services and natural resources have been witnessed, and thus various international organizations in Jordan have started implementing environmental initiatives that would minimize the negative environmental impacts. For instance UNICEF supports the Ministry of Water and Irrigation and partners in the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector at three different levels - leading the emergency WASH sector coordination, ensuring access to safe water and sanitation facilities and services in refugee camps and in host communities, and strengthening the Government’s capacity to prioritize, plan, implement and monitor. Through UNICEF support, a comprehensive package of WASH services continues to reach nearly 100,000 refugees living in four refugee camps. This includes the provision of approximately 4 million litres of treated water each day (equivalent to an average of 35 litres per person), desludging of household, communal and institutional latrines, daily collection and disposal of 800 cubic metres of solid waste, distribution of key WASH items including soap and hygiene kits, and the promotion of hygienic and water conservation behaviours and practice. Also, the government of Jordan in collaboration with UNDP prepared the Jordan Response Plan (2015) for the Syria Crises, where a series of interventions will be implemented so as to increase the resilience and adaptive capacity of host communities, including: rapidly scale-up critical government capacities to plan, program, coordinate and implement a more resilience-oriented response, with the ability to manage and mitigate the impact of the Syria crisis in a timely, efficient, and effective manner; strengthen the capacities and resilience of the health, education, justice, and water and sanitation service systems at local and national levels and mitigate the negative impact of high concentrations of refugees on service delivery sectors; and restore and reinforce municipal services and infrastructure degraded as a result of the sharp demand increases in critically affected sectors, in particular solid waste management, housing, environment, energy and transport. All of these interventions are in agreement with SGP OP7 strategic initiatives specially those related to landscape-seascape conservation.

Table (4): SGP contribution to national priorities / GEF-7 corporate results

4 3 Briefly describe the 1 2 Briefly describe the SGP Country complementation between the SGP OP7 strategic GEF-6 corporate Programme niche1 relevant to national SGP Country Programme initiatives results by focal area priorities/other agencies 2 UNDP CO strategic programming Protected Areas Network Sustainability -Identifying tools and revenue mechanism

from environmental services in protected

areas.

-Sustainable use of ecosystem services by Area of Work 1: Sustainable reducing significant threats on development pathways biodiversity; monitoring the productivity through Effective versus losses in natural resources such maintenance and protection water, land degradation, and of natural capital and deforestation; and mapping of species focusing on conservation and that are under threats. Maintain globally sustainable use of natural Community -Identifying the potential places for significant resources and biodiversity. landscape/seascape reserves based on threats on fauna and biodiversity and the Also, create jobs and reduce conservation ecosystem goods flora. unemployment and enhance and services that it Conserve Biodiversity Composition and livelihoods, through provides to society Compact Invasive Species management and -Identifying species lists and conduct rehabilitation of ecosystem research on biodiversity hotspot areas services, from the sub-

Identify threatened species. national to the national level, including protected, Minimize Threats on Biodiversity indigenous and community -Conduct environmental awareness conserved areas. campaigns, waste management and

recycling along with capacity building at all levels. 4 3 Briefly describe the 1 2 Briefly describe the SGP Country complementation between the SGP OP7 strategic GEF-7 corporate Programme niche3 relevant to national SGP Country Programme initiatives results by focal area priorities/other agencies 4 UNDP CO strategic programming -Developing and promoting agro- Area of Work 1: Sustainable Innovative climate- Sustainable land ecological innovations by: enabling development pathways smart agro-ecology; management in communities to make meaningful through Community production systems contributions to agro-ecosystem resilience Planning, policy frameworks landscape/seascape (agriculture, in the landscape; providing tools and and institutional capacities to conservation rangelands, and methods that can be used to engage small substantially reinforce action forest landscapes) holder’s organizations in the participatory on climate change.

(1): “Niche” refers to the role or contribution that the Country Programme is best fitted to perform and for which the other stakeholders agree with (2): Describe only for those OP7 strategic initiatives which will be programmed by the SGP country programme. (3): “Niche” refers to the role or contribution that the Country Programme is best fitted to perform and for which the other stakeholders agree with (4): Describe only for those OP7 strategic initiatives which will be programmed by the SGP country programme. 14

analysis of agroecosystem vulnerability to impacts of climate change and other social and economic factors.

Area of Work 1: Sustainable development pathways

Effective maintenance and protection of natural capital through assistance for Promotion of integrated water resources collective Integrated Water Resources management and efficient use management of Management (IWRM), by: of water, efforts to protect and trans-boundary -Involvement of community members in restore the health, water systems and water management through working with productivity and resilience of implementation of local CBOs. Community oceans and marine the full range of -Encouraging the regional agreements on landscape/seascape ecosystems, sustainable land policy, legal, and the use of shared water resources i.e. conservation management and restoration institutional reforms Yarmouk river and Disi aquifer. of degraded land, and and investments -Adoptions of innovative finance management of chemicals and contributing to mechanisms such as payments for waste. sustainable use and ecosystem services, habitat banking and

maintenance of aggregate offsets.

ecosystem services

-Increasing the contribution of energy sustainable access to energy local resources (solar and wind) in the and improved energy total energy mix through: efficiency, including focusing -Developing the national strategy for the on policy, legal and regulatory Support to renewable energy in Jordan. frameworks as well as transformational -Increase the demand on the renewable institutional capacities that can Energy access co- shifts towards a low- energy resources by enhancing lower investment risks, benefits emission and competitiveness and good governance. broaden and deepen markets, resilient -Coming up with innovative solutions for and strengthen private- and development path water-energy-food nexus. public-sector capacities to -Building capacity and awareness of low expand investment and carbon solutions. increase access to sustainable -Advocacy projects to influence national energy at the national and sub- energy sector strategies. national levels.

-Increasing the scope, technologies and Increase in phase- supply chain enhancement for organic out, disposal and farming. reduction of releases -Education and awareness programmes Local to global of POPs, ODS, for identification and management of Not Applicable chemicals coalitions mercury and other POPs and PCBs. chemicals of global -Shifting into a sustainable and concern economically feasible organic farming to eliminate agricultural POPs. Area of Work 2: Inclusive and effective democratic Enhance capacity of governance through a Context- -Strengthen local partnerships between civil society to specific responses to foster government and civil societies by contribute to agreement among increasing funding and scaling up implementation of stakeholders and support innovative practices. MEAs (multilateral peaceful governance processes CSO-Government -Training and building capacity of CSO that environmental that advance shared national dialogue platforms cover all local development works, agreements) and goals and policies and budgeting and networking. national and sub- capacities for more effective -Encouraging CSO to expand local national policy, governance to bring greater activities, creative sports and extra- planning and legal development benefits to curricular activities. frameworks citizens and increase their confidence and trust in public institutions. 4 3 Briefly describe the 1 2 Briefly describe the SGP Country complementation between the SGP OP7 strategic GEF-6 corporate Programme niche1 relevant to national SGP Country Programme initiatives results by focal area priorities/other agencies 2 UNDP CO strategic programming

CPS has to go through the following to achieve actual gender mainstreaming: -Strengthening the skills and knowledge of rural women to participate effectively in GEF Gender emerging local economies through One of the proposed outcomes Mainstreaming sustainable development initiatives, after of UNDP strategic plan was to Policy and Gender Social inclusion recognising the traditional and indigenous faster progress in reducing Equality Action Plan (gender, youth, knowledge of women. gender inequality and and GEF Principles indigenous peoples) -Support active involvement of women in promoting women’s for Engagement decision-making and research. empowerment. with Indigenous -Empowerment of women in rural and Peoples urban areas by knowledge and skills to enhance their economic and social opportunities and participation in development and workforce. Area of Work 3: Resilience- building through South-South The impacts, success and the lesson and triangular cooperation: learned through CPS OP6 should be this will include knowledge on Contribution to global monitored and documented at all levels. what has worked and what has knowledge Contribute to GEF All knowledge gathered throughout the not together with information management KM efforts implementation of CPS should be shared on who is involved and what platforms at regional and global levels, thus scaling they can offer; and enabling up and duplicating the good practices harmonization of policies, legal across all strategic initiatives. frameworks and regulations to increase opportunities for South-South exchanges

3. OP7 STRATEGIES 3.1. Cross-cutting OP7 grant-making strategies

There are a number of cross-cutting projects that could be proposed and identified under OP7 at national level and outside of the selected landscape. Following are some examples of these projects:

1. Eco-tourism and integrated management of ecosystem services: projects which will contribute in the development of ecotourism infrastructure and conserving ecosystem services outside the selected landscape will be considered for funding during the OP7. 2. Capacity development projects: projects that include a major component of capacity building of CSOs, local communities, private sector, governmental bodies and vulnerable groups outside of the selected landscape will be given a priority in OP7. Trainings on development planning tools, gender analysis, responsible-agricultural systems, monitoring and evaluation, and linking the development projects with national priority are the main thematic areas for the capacity development required. 3. Knowledge management: Projects that would support establishing a reliable environmental information system are of the utmost importance as the current environmental information in Jordan is structured in a shared database model where several institutions with diverse methodologies collect environmental data causing, in many case, lack of consistency.

4. Supporting vulnerable groups, including gender, marginalized groups and youth: In order to offset the additional pressure on natural resources and ecosystem services, alternative income generation opportunities and projects should be created for local communities targeting the most vulnerable groups, including women and young people. 5. Restoration of degraded habitats: Land degradation/ desertification is among the key environmental challenges for Jordan given that the Jordanian rate of urbanization has exceeded the global average over the past two decades, and will remain high into the future. Thus, it is important to invest in restoration/rehabilitation projects of degraded lands during the OP6 implementation. 6. Integrated coastal zone management and marine life ecosystem (seascape) projects will be considered during OP6, given that 55,000 square meter of coral reef have been destroyed so far because of unplanned investments. Projects that would reduce the threats on marine life in Gulf of Aqaba will be supported. This will include projects that tackle over-fishing of high value marine and coastal resources, destruction of coral reefs and shallow water habitat though inadequate anchoring practices and coastal erosion and depletion of mangroves.

However, all projects outside the selected landscape, should demonstrate the following:

• Promote innovation in relation to SGP OP7 strategic initiatives and directions. • Provide new opportunities for partnerships and replication. • Help translate landscape lessons into policy or promote up scaling and duplication. • CSO-government dialogue platforms that promote civil society engagement with government in the context of multilateral environmental agreements.

3.2 Landscape/seascape-based OP7 grant-making strategies1

3.2.1 The methodological approach for landscape identification: overview

Jordan is a relatively small country with an approximate area of 90,000 square kilometers and is located at the junction of the Levantine and Arabian areas of the Middle East. The country is bordered by Syria on the north, and Iraq is located at the eastern borders. In addition, Palestine is at the western borders and Saudi Arabia on the east and south. The Gulf of Aqaba is the only outlet to the sea, which is located at southern edges of Jordan. Despite the relatively small area, Jordan has diverse terrain and landscape belie its actual size, demonstrating a variety found in large countries.

Western Jordan has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summer, cool, wet winter and two short transitional seasons. However, about 75% of the country is described as having a desert climate with less than 200 mm of rain annually. Jordan is divided into three main geographic and climatic areas i.e. the Jordan Valley, the Mountain Heights Plateau, and the eastern desert, or Badia region (The Library of Congress Country Studies, 2015).

However, Long (1957) classified Jordan into eight bioclimatic regions based on the rain distribution during the seasons of the year. Jordan is considered to be of the Mediterranean type because the rainfall is mainly in winter and spring. Al Eisawi (1996) identifies four main bio-geographical zones in Jordan which are the

(1): Refer to the various guidance documents on landscape/seascape selection and assessments. 18

Mediterranean, Irano- Turranian, Sudanian and the Arabian Desert. Based on this classification, Al Eisawi identified 13 main vegetation types, holds the presence of several species of flora and fauna. Al Eisawi used the similar analysis done by Long (1957), where 31 stations information were analyzed during the period of 1966-1980. Recently, Royal Society for Conservation of Nature (RSCN) has classified Jordan into (15) landscapes based on soil maps, topographic formation and land over as shown in Figure (3) below.

Figure (3): Preliminary landscape characterization based on RSCN criteria (2016-unpublished report).

The CPS consultancy team thoroughly reviewed all the previous literature and incorporated environmental characteristics1 as well as social and economic2 ones into the landforms categorization (see Annex 1 to see more details on the consultation process). After a series of consultations with SGP national coordinator and national steering committee, the team came up with the following landscapes/seascape:

1. Jordan Rift Valley 2. Mountainous Terrain: which is divided into two main Plateaus as follows: ▪ Northern Mountainous Terrain ▪ Southern Mountainous Terrain 3. Eastern Desert: which is divided into two main Plateaus as follows: ▪ North- eastern Desert

(1): This was based on considering the biotic factors including flora composition as well as fauna diversity. In addition, a biotic factors such as climatic conditions (temperature, humidity and rainfall rate), soil types, geological formation and topography.

(2): This was based on several factors including but not limited to the source of income to local communities within these landscapes. In addition, factors such as occupation, infrastructure presence, education and type of land use patterns were considered.

▪ Eastern desert 4. Gulf of Aqaba

Figure (4) shows the landscapes/seascape identification map that has been developed for the purpose of CPS OP7.

Figure (4): Major landscapes/seascape identified for CPS OP6/OP7

1. The Jordan Rift Valley It extends down the entire western side of Jordan, where the northern segment of the Jordan Valley, known in Arabic as the Ghor (a depression in the ground). This region contains the Jordan River that ends at the Dead Sea, at a level of 427 meters below sea level, which is the lowest point on earth. It is landlocked and fed by the Jordan River and run-off from side wadis. With no outlet to the sea, intense evaporation concentrates its mineral salts and produces a hypersaline solution. South of the Dead Sea, the Jordan Valley runs on through hot, dry Wadi ‘Araba, with 155 kilometers long and is known for the sheer, barren sides of its mountains. Wadi Araba rises from 300 meters below sea level at its northern end to 355 meters above sea level at Jabal Risha, and then drops down again to sea level at Aqaba. The bottom of the Rift Valley is typical by the presence of soft siltstones and mudstones. Wadi Araba is formed by alluvial sand dunes and gravel deposits. Climate is relatively humid in winter in its northern parts to hot dry in summer. Precipitation is very minimal and is confined to winter season. This landscape contains mainly northern Ghor , southern Ghors and Wadi Araba area.

2. Mountainous Terrain The highlands of Jordan are formed by a chain of mountain ranges starting from Umm Qais in the north to Ras an-Naqab. It separate the Jordan Valley and its margins from the plains of the eastern desert. This region

extends the entire length of the western part of the country, and hosts most of Jordan’s main population centers. Mountains overlooking the western areas are very steep, while the slope toward the east is very gentle. These areas receive Jordan’s highest rainfall, and are the most richly vegetated in the country. The region, is intersected by a number of valleys and riverbeds known as wadis (Arabic word means a watercourse valley which may or may not flow with water after substantial rainfall). Elevation in the highlands varies considerably, from 600 meters to about 1,500 meters above sea level, with temperature and rainfall patterns varying accordingly. This terrain has been divided into two main Plateau which are the northern and southern Plateau as follows:

▪ Northern Mountainous Terrain: This Plateau extends from the most northern edges of Jordan represented by Umm Qais until reaching Al Karak vicinity in the south. ▪ Southern Mountainous Terrain: This Plateau extends from the Al Tafilah vicinity until Aqaba Mountain at the southern parts of Jordan.

3. Eastern desert The eastern desert “Badia” constitutes the majority of the country with around 75% of its area. This desert stretches into Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, with elevations varying between 600 and 900 meters above sea level. Climate varies widely between day and night, and between summer and winter. Daytime summer temperatures can exceed 40°C, while winter nights can be very cold, dry and windy. Rainfall is minimal throughout the year, averaging less than 50 millimeters annually. The region is covered mostly by Hammada type of soil with scattered areas of sandy dunes. The volcanic formations of the northern Basalt Desert extend into Syria and Saudi Arabia, and are recognizable by the black basalt boulders which cover the landscape. East of the Basalt Desert, the Rweishid Desert is an undulating limestone plateau which extends to the Iraqi border. To the south of Amman is the Central Desert, while Wadi Sarhan on Jordan’s eastern border drains north into Azraq. Al-Jafr Basin, south of the Central Desert, is crossed by a number of broad, sparsely- vegetated wadis. South of al-Jafr and east of the Rum Desert, al-Mudawwara Desert is characterized by isolated hills and low rocky mountains separated by broad, sandywadis, and the most famous desert in Jordan is the Rum Desert. ▪ North- eastern Desert: This area is confined at the north eastern desert of Jordan including basalt desert of Jordan until the borders of Iraq. ▪ Eastern Desert: This is the area of Ma’an vicinity which is bordered by Saudi Arabia in the east.

4. Seascape Description: Gulf of Aqaba The only sea outlet in Jordan, and is a continuation of the Jordan rift valley. It is relatively narrow with a maximum width of 26 km and depth range between 800-1800 m. the lowest sea temperature can reach 20 degree Celsius and the highest is 26. Given the topography and ecological nature of Jordan, this Country Program Strategy (CPS) will not consider seascape and will rather focus on landscape.

3.2.2 Landscape selection for grant making

One of the key elements of SGP’s implementation in OP6 and OP7 is the development of landscape/seascape approaches within countries to better focus grant-making and promoting strategic programming and clustering of small grant projects with the aim to achieve greater impact and lead to synergies and opportunities for scaling up. The selected landscape will receive 70% of the SGP grants during the OP7, whereas other landscapes/seascape will be granted up to 30% based on the criteria mentioned

earlier (section 3.1). For the purpose of landscape selection, the consultancy team developed a selection matrix to compare between the different landscapes. The matrix includes specific criteria, including landscape diversity, protection measures established, biodiversity composition, and socioeconomic aspects. Each criterion has a set of sub-criteria, where a specific weighing system is adopted. The weights ranged from 1 to 3, where (1) refers to (low), (2) to (medium) and (3) refer to (high). Weights were given to each line based on the consultation meetings with the stakeholders and the available published information (i.e. Department of Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Water and Irrigation and previous environmental projects) (Table 3). It is worth mentioning here that the only seascape in Jordan (Gulf of Aqaba) was not included in the selection matrix based on the recommendations from the National Steering Committee (Annex 2 shows the baseline and threat assessment of the selected landscape).

Table (5): Multi-criteria landscape selection matrix Eastern Jordan North- Northern Southern Criteria Eastern Mountainous Mountainous

Desert Valley Desert Terrain Terrain

Diversity of natural ecosystems 1.00 2.25 1.10 3.00 2.20

Diversity of Land use 1.00 1.63 1.63 3.00 1.63 Diversity

Landscape Availability of transboundary water 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 basin Landscape Diversity Score 1.67 2.29 1.91 3.00 2.28

Availability of formal and Future 1.00 3.00 2.00 3.00 3.00

protection zones

Measures

Protection Established

Protection Measures Established score 1.00 3.00 2.00 3.00 3.00

Diversity of flora species 1.00 1.94 1.00 2.40 3.00

Diversity of mammalian species 1.00 1.96 1.84 3.00 1.96

Diversity of reptilian species 1.17 3.00 1.00 1.69 2.51 Biodiversity

Composition Diversity of amphibians species 1.00 1.60 1.60 3.00 1.30

Diversity of birds species 1.00 2.23 3.00 3.00 2.39

Biodiversity Composition score 1.03 2.15 1.69 2.62 2.23

Availability of socioeconomic 1.00 1.86 2.13 3.00 1.54 infrastructure Vulnerability to social and economic 2.51 1.34 2.51 1.35 2.12 insatiability Potential for upscaling the impacts 1.23 1.71 1.85 3.00 1.00

Gender Equality 2.70 1.79 2.34 1.45 2.05 SocioeconomicAspect Socioeconomic Aspect score 1.86 1.67 2.21 2.20 1.68 Final Score/Landscape 1.39 2.28 1.95 2.70 2.30

Based on the foregoing, the consultancy team looked into all criteria across the landscapes as shown in the Figures below. The Northern Mountainous Terrain landscape has received the highest average value and accordingly selected for the SGP OP7 (70%) grants.

Figure (5): Landscape diversity selection criteria Sources of Data: Landover data 2018 (100 m): FAO WAPOR Database

https://mapcruzin.com/free-jordan-country-city-place-gis-shapefiles.htm

Figure (6): Biodiversity composition component

Sources of Data: The Royal Marine Conservation Society (JREDS).

Figure (6): Protection Measures Component

Sources of Data: The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN)

Availability of Vulnerability to social Potential for Final GEF Landscape socioeconomic and economic upscaling the Gender Equality Score infrastructure insatiability impacts

Eastern Desert 1.00 2.51 1.23 2.70 1.86 Jordan Valley 1.86 1.34 1.71 1.79 1.67 North- Eastern Desert 2.13 2.51 1.85 2.34 2.21 Northern Mountainous Terrain 3.00 1.35 3.00 1.45 2.20 Southern Mountainous Terrain 1.54 2.12 1.00 2.05 1.68

Figure (7): Socio-economic aspect Sources of Data: Department of Statistics (DOS), 2015

Figure (8): The selected landscape after considering all criteria

3.2.3 Threat assessment of the selected landscape

The consultancy team assessed the threat across the selected landscape i.e. Northern Highlands, so as to provide the grant makers with a decision tool to allocate the resources in a strategic manner. A threat assessment template was developed and filled based on the published assessments and literature (details are shown in Annex 1). The table below shows the average of threats in the selected landscape distributed based on the governorates located in the landscape, where (0) refers no threat (1) minor threat, (2) medium and (3) major threat. Based on the GEF steering committee recommendation, the socioeconomic vulnerability was also assessed in OP7 to add the social dimension in threat assessment for the targeted areas in OP7 as summarized in Table (6) and Figure (9).

Table (6): The average of threats in the selected landscape distributed based on the governorates Threat/ Evaluation and Scoring System Theme Category Northern Region Central Region South Region Irbid Ajloun Jarash Mafraq Amman Zarqa Balqa Madaba Karak Biodiversity (BD) 2.2 2.0 2.0 1.4 1.6 1.1 1.6 1.5 1.6

Land Degradation (LD) 2.0 3.0 2.7 1.3 1.3 1.3 3.0 3.0 2.3

Climate Change (CC) 2.3 1.9 1.6 2.0 2.4 2.2 2.0 1.9 1.5 Persistent Organic 2.6 1.1 1.3 1.7 2.4 1.6 2.2 1.1 1.4 Pollutants (POPs) International Waters 3.0 0.0 0.0 3.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 (IW) Average Threat 2.4 1.6 1.5 1.9 1.6 1.3 1.7 1.5 1.4 Socio-economic 1.7 2.0 2.1 2.5 1.4 1.9 2.0 2.0 1.6 Vulnerability

Figure (9): Threats across the selected landscape

The average threats in the selected landscape (Table 6) shows that Irbid governorate is the most vulnerable governorate based on the GEF focal areas. However, governorates in the selected 33

landscape significantly vary when looking at the vulnerability per focal area (more detailed in Annex 1); for instance, Mafraq is more vulnerable to Socioeconomic comparing to other governorates. Accordingly, this will be used as strategic priorities for grant making in the selected landscape. 3.2.4 The project typologies in the selected landscape In designing the project typologies for the selected landscape, the consultation meetings with all stakeholders as well as with the national steering committee and the national coordinator identified the following aspects for the projects that will be granted:

1. Reflect the societal needs and priorities; 2. Consistency with Jordan’s own priorities and programs; 3. Promote gender participation and mainstreaming; 4. Integrate GEF strategic initiatives; 5. Scalable and replicable inside and outside of the selected landscapes.

Based on the threat assessment (section 3.2.3) and the consultation meetings in the selected landscapes, the project typologies in the selected landscape (Northern Highlands) are as follows:

1. Community landscape conservation: Projects to be funded under this initiative should have a goal of improving the quality of life of indigenous people as well as sustaining the natural and cultural resources. Several interventions might be proposed under this strategic initiative:

2. Climate smart innovative agro-ecology: the objective is to use smart agricultural practices that would improve the water productivity and increase the resilience of farmers in areas of Zarqa-river basin and in the Highlands. Several projects can be proposed under this strategic initiative, such as: ▪ Storm water harvesting for agricultural purposes (known as green infrastructure). ▪ Introducing organic farming practices. ▪ Promoting responsible agricultural practices in Highlands, where groundwater is being overexploited without clear strategy for conservation.

3. Low carbon energy access co-benefits: The objective is to reduce dependence on wood fuel and/or reduce environmental impacts of fuel production. Actions might cover the following areas of intervention:

▪ Social marketing campaign including promoting awareness and demonstration actions that are related to energy conservation such as turning off lights, using solar energy (PVs) and solar water heaters. ▪ Reduce local population dependence on forest wood, thus keeping the forests from the illegal cutting practices. Extra attention should be given to Debbin forests in this regards. ▪ Researching co-benefits of alternative energy sources, which could potentially guide and inform scaling up and policy development (e.g. reduced deforestation, improved carbon sequestration and climate resilience; reducing poverty, improving livelihoods, and stimulating economic development).

4. Local to global chemical management coalitions: SGP will focus its support on communities in the forefront of chemical threats either as users or consumers. Activities will include support for innovative, affordable and practical solutions to chemicals management in joint efforts with SGP’s established partners such as the International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN), as well as new partnerships with government agencies, research institutions, private sector, and international agencies. Local CSOs are encouraged to develop proposals that tackle the following, particularly along the Zarqa-river basin:

▪ Policies and strategies to manage hazardous waste and hazardous chemicals. ▪ Alternatives to income from handling hazardous waste and heavy metals. ▪ The industrial facilities with environmental regulations and standards.

3.3. Grant-maker+ strategies1 3.3.1. CSO-Government Dialogue Platform

The status of civil society action in Jordan has been both innovative and evolving with time. Environmental NGOs, CBOs and other local CSOs have been dealing directly and actively with environmental challenges at the local and national level. New environmental NGOs with modern and specialized structures have been established in the last couple of years with overarching goal of changing the landscape of the environmental civil society in Jordan with better focus on youth, entrepreneurship and technical specialization. In addition, the emerging national trends for decentralization and enhanced local involvement in natural resource management will provide communities with more empowerment to take action at the local level.

The Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) in Jordan is the legal umbrella for most of the CSOs that are active in the field of environment or have mandate of relevance to environment. However,

1 The OP7 Grant-maker+ strategies and related activities may either be outside of the selected landscape/seascapes, or promote partnership building, networking and policy development within the target areas. 35

some of CSOs in Jordan are working under the supervision of Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Interior. The mandate of MoSD has clear statements emphasizing the importance of integrating the activities of CSOs in Jordan into governmental policies. As recognition of the importance of CSO-government dialogue, the MoSD provides financial annual support to all registered CSOs so as to improve their capacity in linking the grassroots to high level national planners. On the other hand, Ministry of Environment (MoEnv) has also a “technical” mandate to oversee and track the work done by these CSOs to ensure that is in line with national agenda and priorities. Currently there are 103 environmental NGOs that are officially registered at the Ministry of Environment. This number reflects the evolvement of this sector and its potential role in advancing the work and achievement of national “environmental agenda”. Nevertheless, and in order to keep the momentum of this sector, a clear mechanism and instrument should be in place to coordinate the work of such considerable number of institutions to ensure no duplication in role and no waste of resources. MoEnv has recently supported the initiative of establishment of Jordan Federation of Environmental NGOs which brings together the largest ten environmental NGOs in the country under one umbrella. Such entity and once it succeeds in establishing a good governance among its members, it will certainly contribute to improve the dialogue with the government.

There is no doubt that the government is appreciating and recognizing the role and capacities of CSOs, for example MoEnv has involved representatives of several NGOs in different committees at the ministry i.e. EIA committee, Rio Conventions National Committees, Environmental Auditing Committee. Moreover NGOs are also engaged in the process of preparing the national reports to the three Rio conventions.

On the other hand, Jordan’s has recently prepared and published what is known as “Jordan vision 2025”. The vision charts the path for the future and determines the integrated economic and social framework that will govern the economic and social policies. The king of Jordan in the Jordan’s vision document bluntly guided the government to cooperate with local communities and CSOs by stating “the success of devising this blueprint hinges on adopting a participatory and consultative approach towards all stakeholders, namely governmental institutions, parliament, private sector, civil society organizations, and local communities”. The government in the Jordan’s vision (2025) set an array of priority initiatives to promote local development, including strengthen local partnerships between government agencies, municipalities, civil society organizations and the private sector. However, further works are required to build the trust and strengthen the linkages between CSOs and the government:

▪ Scaling up good practices and project’s outputs in a way that demonstrate the positive role of CSOs in environmental management in the country. ▪ Demonstrating CSOs activities and achievements in poverty eradication, unemployment, and capacity development, which complement the government efforts in these particular challenges.

▪ Good representation of CSOs in the existing funding instrument e.g. Environment Fund, Jordan Renewable Energy E Fund, etc., in this regard the case of GEF/SGP steering committee could be modeled. ▪ Developing and improving the relevant legislations to facilitate the work of CSOs, and thus ensuring a better governance of this sector. ▪ Documenting the best practices and facilitating sharing of these practices among the CSOs. ▪ Developing the capacities of local CSOs within the territories of the selected landscape so as to ensure better achievements as well as sustain the outputs of any new intervention. ▪ Of relevance to the above, establishing special platform to enhance dialogue between government and CSOs at local level will be valuable to integrate CSOs activities into the governmental works.

3.2.2. Policy influence

Policy influence is achieved mainly through appropriate knowledge management plan and involvement in governmental projects and committees. These two elements are highly expected to be presented and maximized through OP7 and thus making potential impacts on policy making on at local and national levels.

Given that all efforts in OP7 will be directed and focused in one landscape i.e. Northern Highlands, the impacts will be influential and tangible, and accordingly can be bottomed up to influence the policy at local and national level. SGP through OP7 will make everything possible to communicate with policy makers at national level. The accumulative experience and the lessons learned throughout the SGP projects’ implementation and monitoring will be delivered as follows:

1. Providing technical information about GEF/SGP focal areas to the policy makers through participating in the national committees and sharing the reports. 2. Preparing policy papers and guidance documents to feed into the national policies and guidelines. 3. Development of theme-specific training modules based on SGP experiences in Jordan and in other parts of the world. 4. Development of a collection of best practices and case studies of SGP projects in Jordan and the Arab Region, and exchanging ideas for new projects based on regional and international experiences.

3.2.3. Promoting social inclusion

Promoting social inclusion in SGP OP7 will be achieved by expanding support for gender equality and women’s empowerment through proactive promotion of women-led projects, mainstreaming gender in all relevant projects, as well as the national and global networking of women grantee- leaders for knowledge-sharing and policy advocacy. SGP’s strategy on gender mainstreaming and

women’s empowerment will be further strengthened during GEF-7, in line with the GEF Gender Mainstreaming Policy and Gender Action Plan.

Gender mainstreaming and women’s empowerment are relevant to all of the strategic initiatives, SGP will acknowledge gender differences and will support actions to promote women’s role in implementation of programs and projects under the strategy and will create enabling environment for their social inclusion at the local level, and thus becoming agent for change towards sustainable development. For empowering local people, SGP will promote local stakeholders participation in developing actions that correspond to their actual needs; create job and income generation for the local community and ensure the local community participation in all interventions and development projects. The above could be also supported through the promotion of the SDGs at local level and design awareness and educational activities that will help in building the capacities of women and youth groups towards achieving the sustainable communities.

3.2.4. Knowledge management plan The goal of the knowledge management plan in SGP OP7 is to help creation, sharing, and effective application of knowledge to improve environmental management and promoting sustainable and best practices. The specific objectives of the plan are to:

▪ Support environmental management systems through better knowledge management. ▪ Establish “Knowledge Management” SGP country program, and thus enabling the SGP country program to become an efficient learning program. ▪ Improve/ promote access to relevant information products and services. ▪ Build a sharing culture and the capacity to use and apply knowledge. ▪ Establish norms and standards to support the adoption of knowledge management by the projects. ▪ Provide tools for knowledge management collaboration, and its reflection into policy and actions.

The first step towards developing an appropriate plan is to review the former knowledge management plan of OP6 as there are still some valid activities to consider. The program needs to start with specific and oriented capacity building activities for all people engaged in the implementation of country portfolio of SGP projects on knowledge management tools and approaches. A focal point might be named to facilitate communication among the entire team. The team needs to identify what types of information and knowledge products to be shared and the means for that i.e. websites, seminars, etc. It is also suggested that some beneficiaries within the selected landscape will establish a platform to document, capture, share, and disseminate the lessons learned and good practices of the implementation of OP7 in the selected landscape area and facilitate synergies with other platforms.

Also, the outputs (including and relevant data and information) of OP6 will be shared and disseminated via the existing database systems and platforms e.g. Jordan Environmental Information System (JEIS) and the National Agricultural Information System (NAIS). This would be another way to contribute in synergies and integration with other initiatives and efforts particularly that of MoEnv and other line ministries. Knowledge management is a main component of the program strategy, as it is expected that documentation of best practices for the various thematic issues of landscape management will be disseminated. The documentation process will take place at the project level since specific lessons can be generated at the implementation level. Different multimedia tools will be used such as newsletter or e-newsletters, which are produced periodically and shared with key stakeholders. Analytical case studies written at the end of each project implementation, policy briefs, as well as video documentation will also be produced. Each granted CSO will be asked to allocate a small amount of its grant for knowledge management activities, and clearly identify the type of knowledge management products that will be produced. In addition, the GEF Small Grant Program Secretariat in Jordan will organize dissemination events to ensure lessons learnt are effectively communicated to a wide range of audiences including the National Steering Committee members, government and other CSOs. This will help promoting and upscaling the best practices and influencing the national and subnational policies and strategies. The UNDP SGP webpage will be used to post updates on issues or progress related to program implementation, as well as specific articles or case studies. 3.2.5. Communications Strategy A communication plan facilitates effective and efficient communications with the various audiences having a major stake in the program/project. It describes how program communications will occur. A good communication plan generally includes the following elements: ▪ Communication objectives ▪ Target audiences ▪ Key content for the communications ▪ Communication method and frequency

Good communication prevents duplication of effort, and can help to reveal omissions and misallocation of resources early. The general framework of the communication plan consists of the following actions:

▪ Identify key audiences/target groups. ▪ Develop the Message that need to be conveyed to the target groups ▪ Develop the plan and seek outside input ▪ Seek active involvement and participation of all member agencies and organizations ▪ Focus on benefits of collaboration to share data and information ▪ Identify and publicize best practices

The following key communication objectives need to be met during SGP OP7:

▪ To communicate and emphasize the key messages of SGP country program to all stakeholders; (to promote the concept, scope, and benefits of SGP/OP7). ▪ To promote participation, build relationships and foster partnerships; as well as to articulate the contribution of the SGP to the national priorities. ▪ To explain the program objectives, successes and benefits. ▪ To gain support for the program through highlighting its benefits to Jordan and all partners including community, institutions, etc.

The communication activities are diverse and could consist of the following: ▪ Publications (newsletter/bulletins/brochures) ▪ Website ▪ PowerPoint Presentations ▪ Conference Activities ▪ Meeting

4. EXPECTED RESULTS FRAMEWORK Table (7): Consistency with SGP OP7 global programme components

1 2 3 4 5 OP7 project components CPS targets Activities Indicators Means of verification The CPS for OP7 will target the northern 6-8 projects Reducing the deforestation by Individual project reporting highlands landscape which include e.g. Rehabilitation, 10%. by SGP country teams. mountainous areas and forests (see part Organic farming; State of environment 3.2.1) Ecotourism/landscape Raising awareness to 25% of the report, national reports of conservation; local communities UNCCD i.e. desertification • Conserve landscapes and ecosystems Community-based and afforestation sections within the selected landscape management; impact • Promote Eco-tourism activities in of tourism on Landscape/seascape baseline Baseline assessment SGP OP7 Component 1: Yarmouk,Ajloun, Dibeen reserves as well landscapes/natural and assessment indicators (TBD) comparison variables (use Community Landscape and as the existing Special Conservation cultural heritage. of conceptual models and Seascape Conservation: Areas located in the north See Annex 1 and 2 partner data as

• Conserving biodiversity in selected appropriate) 1.1 SGP country programmes landscape Areas and type of landscape and improve conservation and • Promote public participation\awareness ecosystem restored Annual Monitoring Report sustainable use, and towards protecting cultural, historical Number of lands and areas (AMR) management of important and natural heritage. sustainability managed within terrestrial and coastal/marine • Supporting the efforts of conserving the the selected landscape Country Programme ecosystems through endangered plant and animals species. Number of conservation projects Strategy Review implementation of • Integrated Water Resources dedicated for conserving (NSC inputs) community based biodiversity in the selected National reports of MEAs landscape/seascape Management activities, including wastewater treatment and reuse. landscape approaches in approximately Number and type of eco- 50 countries tourism products produced

1 2 3 4 5 OP7 project components CPS targets Activities Indicators Means of verification Storm and rain water harvesting for 10-12 projects 5 water harvesting (rain and Individual project reporting SGP OP7 Component 2: agricultural purposes (known as green Sustainable agriculture storm)(practices/infrastructure by SGP country teams. Climate Smart Innovative infrastructure). Water saving and Agro-ecology: Introducing organic farming practices. harvesting 3 wastewater reuse projects Socio-ecological resilience Promoting responsible agricultural practices in Forestation (reuse of indicators for production 2.1 Agro-ecology practices Highlands, where groundwater is being treated wastewater in Landscape/seascape baseline landscapes (SEPLs). incorporating measures to overexploited without clear strategy for irrigation) assessment indicators (TBD) reduce CO2 emissions and conservation. Greywater utilization Annual Monitoring Report enhancing resilience to Build the capacity of 2 selected famer leaders Exchange visits and Building the capacity of two (AMR) climate change tried and in all aspects of sustainable agriculture training workshops. farmer leaders in sustainable tested in protected area buffer practices farming Country Programme zones and forest corridors and Strategy Review disseminated widely in at least See Annex 1 and 2 (NSC inputs). 30 priority countries List of attendees and certificates. At least one innovative typology of locally 5 awareness and Number of the targeted AMR, country reports adapted solutions demonstrated and educational campaigns stakeholders/community groups AMR, global database, documented in the awareness and country reports SGP OP7 Component 3: Social marketing campaign including educational campaigns. Special country studies16 Low Carbon Energy Access promoting awareness and demonstration Co-benefits: actions that are related to energy conservation The type of the targeted groups

such as turning off lights, using solar energy i.e. women, religious leaders, Country Programme 3.1 Low carbon community (PVs) and solar water heaters. Educational/awareness schools, etc participating in the Strategy Review energy access solutions Reduce local population dependence on forest raising on energy awareness sessions. (NSC inputs) successfully deployed in 50 wood, thus keeping the forests from the illegal conservation and countries with alignment and cutting practices. Extra attention should be efficiency though Number of communities integration of these given to Debbin forests in this regards. implementing achieving energy access with approaches within larger Researching co-benefits of alternative energy pilot/demonstration locally adapted community frameworks such as SE4ALL sources, which could potentially guide and renewable energy solutions, with co-benefits initiated in at least 12 inform scaling up and policy development projects estimated and valued i.e. on-site countries (e.g. reduced deforestation, improved carbon solar power (PV) and on-site

sequestration and climate resilience; reducing solar water heaters. poverty, improving livelihoods, and stimulating economic development).

(16): Only applies to lead countries in this strategic initiative 42

Number of alternatives that can be offered to offset the illegal cutting of forests, 1 2 3 4 5 OP7 project components CPS targets Activities Indicators Means of verification SGP OP7 Component 4: Outline of innovative tools and approaches to: Approx. 5 projects 10% reduction of waste Individual project reporting Local to Global Chemical • pesticide management generational and disposal. by SGP country teams Management Coalitions: • solid waste management (plastics, e- Biological Pest Control The municipal records of 4.1 Innovative community- waste, medical waste and so on), Solid Waste Number of community-based solid waste collection and based tools and approaches and Management tools/approaches to avoid and disposals. demonstrated, deployed and • local to global chemical Waste recycling reduce chemicals demonstrated, Strategic partnership with transferred, with support management coalitions Waste reduction at deployed and transferred IPEN country partners from newly organized or • Strengthen the governance of the source Number of coalitions and Annual Monitoring Report existing coalitions in at least Federation for Environmental Waste to energy networks established or (AMR) 20 countries for managing (FANGOs) (Composting ) strengthened Country Programme harmful chemicals and waste Strategy Review in a sound manner Providing technical information about GEF Global level OP7 Individual project reporting focal areas to the policy makers through priority by SGP country teams

Participating in the national committee and Establishment of a Initiated the activities of the sharing the reports. platform to enhance platform. SGP Global Database SGP OP7 Component 5: Preparing policy papers and guidance the dialogue between CSO-Government Policy and documents to feed into the national policies all stakeholders at the The structure/membership of Annual Monitoring Report Planning Dialogue Platforms and guidelines. selected landscape. the platform i.e. gender (AMR) (Grant-makers+): Development of theme-specific training Promoting good representation, youth, local modules based on SGP experiences in Jordan, governance and communities and public sector. Country Programme 5.1 SGP supports the region and globally. participatory planning Strategy Review establishment of “CSO- Development of a collection of best practices practices. 2-3(mainstreaming) projects. Government Policy and and case studies of SGP projects in Jordan and Mainstreaming of Planning Dialogue Platforms”, abroad, and exchanging ideas for new natural/cultural leveraging existing and projects based on regional and international heritage into the potential partnerships, in at experiences. local/national planning; least 50 countries

1 2 3 4 5 OP7 project components CPS targets Activities Indicators Means of verification

SGP OP7 Component 6: Promoting Social Inclusion (Grant-makers+):

6.1 Gender mainstreaming considerations applied by all SGP country programmes; Gender training utilized by SGP staff, grantees, NSC Proactive promotion of women-led members, partners projects (at least 25% of projects) Capacity development Individual project reporting related to SDGs 6.2 IP Fellowship programme by SGP country teams awards at least 12 fellowships Mainstreaming gender in all relevant 25% of project led by women Targeting women and to build capacity of IPs; projects, as well as the national and SGP Global Database youth sectors. implementation of projects by global networking of women grantee- Signing off 2 Memorandum of

IPs is supported in relevant leaders for knowledge sharing and policy Understanding. Annual Monitoring Report Research-policy countries (AMR) advocacy. collaboration 2 projects for youth and disabled Supporting the youth and disabled sector 6.3 Involvement of youth and in the selected landscape. Country Programme by collaborating with the youth center Cross-cutting priority disabled is further supported Strategy Review and disabled associations at the selected for the CPS at the in SGP projects and guidelines landscape. national level and best practices are widely shared with countries

1 2 3 4 5 OP7 project components CPS targets Activities Indicators Means of verification Connections between CPS and global priorities Global level OP7 SGP Global Database for the digital library and SSC Innovation priority 1 regional event Exchange Platform Annual Monitoring Report SGP country teams (NC 2 joint projects application in (AMR) (i.e. examples of tested technologies, and PA) global Jordan and Palestine. comparative advantage and experience of database inputs. Country Programme SGP OP7 Component 7: SGP country programme). Strategy Review Global Reach for Citizen Connection with Practice-Based Knowledge Establishing regional coordination between regional databases. program (Grant-makers+): the GEF SGP Jordan and GEF SGP Palestinian Authority Connection with 7.1 Digital library of databases/clearing community innovations is house mechanisms of established and provides Rio conventions. access to information to communities in at least 50 Annual conference to countries share/exchange knowledge and lessons 7.2 South-South Community learned between south- Innovation Exchange Platform south countries promotes south-south exchanges on global Implementing the environmental issues in at agreement between least 20 countries the GEF SFP Jordan and GEF SGP Palestinian Authority, particularly carrying out joint project of relevance to the selected landscape.

5. MONITORING & EVALUATION PLAN The SGP in Jordan will report quarterly to the Project Management Unit on the progress in the implementation of this Strategy based on the approved GEF-SGP project-monitoring format. Progress reports will include a gender perspective in the description of results and impacts, and will focus on the achievements, lessons learned, opportunities, and best practices.

Country programme landscape level indicators will be monitored on an annual basis, considering the baseline data. A final assessment of indicators will take place at national workshop. This will serve as a final evaluation of the country programme landscape strategy. On project level, each project will identify the specific landscape strategy outcome to which it is contributing and will monitor the corresponding indicators. Progress towards the outcome will be updated using the grantees’ progress reports.

Additionally, the individual project will have an indicator system aligned with GEF/SGP OP7 indicators. The following minimum requirements shall be applied for individual grant monitoring and evaluation:

1. Preliminary visits: The project management team will perform field visits on a regular basis to grant-requesting organizations upon grant approval by the SGP National Steering Committee (NSC) and prior to the signing of the MoU between the implementing partner and the grantee. 2. Field monitoring visits: Every project should be visited at least twice in its lifetime, upon receipt of the first progress report from beneficiary organizations and during the following year. NSC members with relevant expertise in project-related technical areas may join the NC during these visits as appropriate. 3. Progress reports: Beneficiary organizations should submit half-yearly progress reports to the NC along with a financial report. A forecast of resources needed in the upcoming period should be submitted by the grantee to the NC as a requirement for disbursement of next installment. 4. Final project evaluation report: Beneficiary organizations should submit a final report summarizing global benefits and other results achieved, outputs produced, and lessons learned. The final report should also include a final financial statement.

This strategy will be reviewed each year during the NSC Meeting, and changes will be made where necessary to ensure improvement in the implementation process.

Table (8): M&E Plan at the Country Programme Level Responsible M&E Activity Purpose Budget source Timing parties NC, NSC, Framework for Country Programme country Covered under At start of operational identification of Strategy elaboration stakeholders, preparatory grant phase community projects grantee Reviews will be conducted on annual basis17 to ensure CPS is Annual Country Covered under country on track in achieving its Learning; adaptive NC, NSC, Programme Strategy programme operating outcomes and targets, management CPMT Review costs and to take decisions on any revisions or adaptive management needs Assess effectiveness Minimum twice per NSC Meetings for of projects, Covered under country year, one dedicated to ongoing review of portfolios, NC, NSC, programme operating M&E and adaptive project results and approaches; UNDP costs management at end of analysis learning; adaptive grant year management Covered under country Annual Country Enable efficient NC presenting programme operating Once per year in June Report (ACR) 18 reporting to NSC to NSC costs Enable efficient Annual Monitoring reporting to CPMT NC Covered under country Report (AMR) 19 and GEF; submission to programme operating Once per year in July Survey (based on presentation of CPMT costs ACR) results to donor Learning; adaptive management for Covered under country Strategic Country Once per operational strategic NSC programme operating Portfolio Review phase development of costs Country Programme

The monitoring and evaluation plan is intended to provide all concerned parties including; program team, project managers and the National Committee with information about the status and results of individual projects, the progress of country program and the achievement of overall program objectives. An important pillar for M&E is gender-based indicators to track the status of gender mainstreaming in projects.

17 The CPS is a living document, and should be reviewed and updated as deemed necessary by the NSC on a periodic basis as part of the annual strategy review. 18 The country programme should be reviewed in consultation with the NSC members, national Rio Convention focal points, and the associated reporting requirements. The Annual Country Report should be presented at a dedicated NSC meeting in June each year to review progress and results and take decisions on key adaptive measures and targets for the following year. 19 The AMR Survey will essentially draw upon information presented by the country in the Annual Country Report (ACR) with few additional questions. It will enable aggregation of country inputs by CPMT for global reporting. 47

6. RESOURCE MOBILIZATION PLAN

6.1. OP7 resource mobilization plan to enhance the sustainability of the SGP Country Programme grantmaking and grant-makers+ roles with reference to:

The resource mobilization strategy focuses on listing and discussing the potential sources for funding, however, these sources should also be considered along with other sources and opportunities proposed in other reports, plans and strategies, e.g. the Integrated Financing Strategy for Sustainable Land Management which has been developed by the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation with the help of the Global Mechanism (GM). Seeking cost sharing and funding from non-GEF resources will be mainly through two main sources i.e. internal and external, as follows:

1. Internal Resources

- Environmental Protection Fund: The Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) is a new sustainable financial approach established to support the government’s environmental, social and economic policies; and to stimulate the Ministry of Environment investment in the environmental sector in Jordan. It is also designed to support private sector projects that comply with environmental regulations and to promote the sustainable use of Jordan’s natural resources. Wide range and diverse activities are expected to benefit from the fund either directly, through the funding of specific projects, or indirectly, through the engagement in initiatives financed by EPF.

- Jordan Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund (JREEF): JREEF was established to provide the necessary investment for the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. The fund aims to contribute in the development of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency activities in Jordan through investing in projects and conducting preliminary studies and research. The Fund is designed with five main components, referred to as “Windows”. Each window provides support to one or more of the various stages of development for either Renewable Energy (RE) or Energy Efficiency (EE) activities. A relevant component to SGP is “Studies and Technical Cooperation” – where the fund provides grants for feasibility studies; research, training and other programs and initiatives to support RE and EE development in Jordan.

- The Hashemite Fund for Development of Jordan Badia (HFDJB): The mission of HFDJB is to establish the concept of sustainable development in the Jordan Badia through active participation of the local communities and the implementation of environmental, social and economic activities, while maintaining and respecting the prevailing culture and habits. The fund is working actively with the concerned research institutions to finance and carry out research on different disciplines relevant to the Badia region, including combating land degradation and conserving the biodiversity as well as researching the potential impact of climate change on land resources. This fund can be approached for projects outside the landscape focus area.

- Private Sector: There is no available data on the involvement and contribution of the private sector in financing natural resources management and conservation. Nevertheless, the role of the private sector in natural resources management in Jordan is very limited. Yet, it can have an important role, especially in resource mobilization. The key for future private financing is the environment of investment in the country and enabling conditions, including legal and institutional frameworks. Additionally, several private companies allocate a portion of its budget

to serve the community in several ways; health, environment, poverty alleviation, etc. Examples on these companies are Jordan Phosphate Mines Company, Arab Bank, Arab Potash Company and Jordan Petroleum Refinery Company.

2. External Sources The donor community and international agencies are active in Jordan. They provide assistance in the form of grants, soft loans and technical assistance offered by countries such as Germany, Japan and China. Key international agencies active in Jordan include USAID, JICA, GIZ, UNDP, SIDA, AFD, EU, the Islamic Development Bank, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, FAO, the World Bank, IUCN, UNESCO and UNEP. Furthermore, the below list of potential donors could be also approached:

• Adaptation Fund • Dubai International Award for Best Practices (DIABP) • Canadian International Development Agency CIDA • International Service for National Agricultural Research (ISNAR) • Agencia de cooperation International • International Climate Initiative • The National Committee of Montreal Fund, • Danish Regional Cooperation Project • The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) • Community Research and Development Information Service (CORDIS) • Euro-Arab Research Network

However, in addition to the above, SGP OP7 will empower and build the capacity of CSOs in skills of networking and building partnerships and linkages with different potential partners. Inception workshop can be held to introduce the SGP OP7 startegic initiatives and explore the synergies between the OP7 and the governmental policies. Representatives from government along with potential international donors might be invited to such workshop.

7. RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN 7.1 Key risks that you anticipate in the implementation of the CPS during OP7, with reference to the following aspects: (i) social and environmental risks (as reflected in UNDP’s Social and Environmental Safeguards); 20 (ii) climate risks; (iii) other possible risks. For any identified risks, please complete the table below with an estimation of the degree and probability of risk, as well as the relevant risk mitigation measures.

There are a number of anticipated risks that threaten the viability and success of CPS during OP7. The first is the acceptance of the landscape/seascape approach by the community/stakeholders which is the core of SGP’s in OP7. Of relevance to this, is the risk of lack of support of the local communities (outside of the selected landscape) to initiatives implemented under CPS during OP7. The second key risk is related to commitment and support from the concerned governmental agencies. Other risks may associate with the changes in national environmental agenda and priority in the coming few years. The in-kind contribution and commitment from the implementing organizations is also a risk in case these organizations could not for some reasons to fulfill their commitment.

20 http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/corporate/Social-and-Environmental-Policies-and- Procedures/UNDPs-Social-and-Environmental-Standards-ENGLISH.pdf 49

Lack of coordination between the implementing organization and the concerned institutions and target groups as well as lack of technical capacities to implement initiatives under the CPS, are also seen as potential risks during the OP7.

Table (9): Description of risks identified in OP7 Degree of risk Probability of risk Describe identified risk (low, medium, (low, medium, Risk mitigation measure foreseen high) high) Acceptance of the Low Medium This risk will be mitigated through the landscape/seascape adaptive collaborative approach to project approach by local management. By engaging stakeholders communities and other early in program design and throughout stakeholders. implementation, communities will have the opportunity to voice concerns or suggestions that ultimately affect stakeholders buy-in. Also, allocation of 30% of grants to CSOs located outside of the selected landscape will be highlighted when meeting with stakeholders, implying that projects outside the selected landscape are eligible for funding in case they meet the criteria. Commitment and support Low Low The program will help ensuring that there from the concerned is close coordination between the relevant governmental agencies agencies. Challenge of working Medium Medium Mitigation will include building grantee directly with CBOs and capacity, linking and networking grantees, NGOs that have a low level and working in a flexible manner, as well as of technical and continuous supervision and monitoring by management capacity. the SGP country team, UNDP and the NSC. Increasing numbers of Medium Medium This risk can be mitigated through applying CSOs to grants increasing the allocated funds for SGP and co-financing. Delays in projects Medium Medium Frequent monitoring and follow-up along implementation with on-the-job training.

The risks will be tracked during the implementation of the OP7 CPS and reviewed during the CPS Annual review. Accordingly, degree of risk, or probability of risk may be adjusted. Identified risks may also be removed and new risks added if necessary with appropriate mitigation measures identified.

8. GENDER The GEF Gender Guidance provides practical steps and required actions to implement the principles and mandatory requirements specified in the Policy with a focus on gender-responsive design, implementation, and monitoring of GEF programs and projects. The guidance is applicable to full- and medium-size projects, is organized around the GEF project cycle and focuses on the expected actions and steps needed to meet the requirements set out in the Policy.

Similarly the new UNDP Gender Equality Strategy (2018-2021) specifies specific outcomes for mainstreaming gender equality throughout all UNDP’s areas of work, with particular attention to four priorities: removing structural barriers to women’s economic empowerment, including women’s disproportionate burden of unpaid work; preventing and responding to gender-based violence; promoting women’s participation and leadership in all forms of decision making; and strengthening gender-responsive strategies in crises (conflicts and disaster) prevention, preparedness and recovery.

SGP has been actively promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in its portfolio since its establishment and has applied a clear process to mainstream gender during different operational phases, which will be explained below. Projects completed were reported to be gender responsive and were led by women.

SGP’s objective is to empower women and promote gender equality in its portfolio, as a means to enhance its environmental results given that both women and men have different knowledge, skills and vulnerabilities. In OP7, SGP will continue to support gender equality and women’s empowerment. In particular, SGP will contribute to implement the GEF Policy on Gender Equality within the context of GEF-7 programming with a specific focus on improving the participation and decision-making of women in natural resource governance, targeting socioeconomic benefits and services for women, and investing in women’s skills and capacity.

SGP will also pilot a focused innovation programme on women and entrepreneurship in OP7. According to the ILO (2009), enterprise development can make a significant contribution to women’s empowerment and gender equality and has a key role in gender strategies. Many of the SGP projects that reduce pressure on the environment are linked to green enterprises. In OP7, SGP will work to promote women-led enterprises. The goal is to upgrade and expand existing green women-led enterprises for exponential impact/growth. For this purpose, SGP will create an impact programme to provide women-led enterprises with business management training, technical training, product development and design, business counselling, marketing assistance, finance facilitation and business networking and business linkages.

Implementation Strategy To achieve its gender equality and women empowerment objectives, SGP will use two complementary approaches: First, it mainstreams gender at the project, national and global levels, using various mechanisms to ensure its portfolio addresses the needs of both men and

women and consequently, both benefit from the results of the projects. The second approach used by SGP is to carry out programs and projects that specifically target and empower women by offering them access to financial and technical resources.

Activities to promote women empowerment will focus primarily on capacity building including technical training, increasing financial access, ownership and control over natural resources, and improved livelihoods. Promoting women-led projects and the inclusion of women in the leadership teams of the projects and organizations. Structural training and capacity building designed to be gender responsive will be provided on a continuous basis for women-led organizations, it will be based on the needs and challenges identified during the previous phased of SGP. The Guidance note for Gender mainstreaming will be the framework for engaging gender related aspects. This includes mainstreaming gender in SGP’s project cycle by conducting gender analysis at project level.

9. KNOWLEDGE MANANGENT

Knowledge management at SGP is fundamental for the successful management and delivering results of SGP, knowledge management has been a key aspect of the work of SGP to capture knowledge, leverage local expertise and give voice to civil society, identify new approaches and ways of learning, improve effectiveness, improve capacities of staff and grantees, promote and encourage innovation, address operational and programmatic challenges effectively, influence policy and scale up good practices. A focus on four pillars will be made, these pillars are

People: People are the main producers of knowledge and consumers of knowledge generated by the programme. Products and Services: knowledge products and services used to share and disseminate knowledge. Process: Internal processes that define how knowledge is captured and transferred to the key audiences. Technology: These are the different ICT tools that facilitate the capture and transfer of knowledge: database, intranet, website, conference calls, workshops presentations, participatory videos, emails, podcasts, RSS, wikis, CDs, traditional print publications, etc.

The overall approach in managing generated knowledge will be based on the Knowledge Management Technical Guidance Notes for OP7

10. NATIONAL STEERING COMMITTEE ENDORSEMENT

Note: The signature of endorsement at this point is for the complete and final CPS duly reviewed by the NSC and agreed as the guide to the implementation of OP7 by the SGP Country Programme.

NSC members involved in OP7 CPS development, Signatures review and endorsement

(Add more rows as necessary)

ANNEX 1

BASELINE ASSESSMENT REPORT

GEF SGP OP7 Report on the landscape baseline assessment process

1. Introduction The objective of the baseline assessment report is to assist SGP National Coordinators and National Steering Committees to elaborate a landscape baseline, to develop a landscape strategy that will guide grant-making with typology of projects proposed, and sets of indicators for selected SGP strategic initiatives identified. This baseline assessment report provides information about the current state of the landscapes, through consultations with local communities and stakeholders which were used as a basis for setting goals and desired outcomes. This Landscapes baseline assessment studied the key challenges, global environmental issues, and identified the opportunities for community and CSO actions. The baseline assessment process included community consultations, and ensured participation of the range of stakeholders in the landscape, including local authorities, civil society, community organizations, and other relevant partners.

2. Selection of the landscape/Seascape area of focus The selection of the landscape went through subsequent step as follows:

2. 1 Literature review The consultancy team reviewed all the relevant literature regarding the landscape and ecosystems in Jordan. The team preliminary agreed to divide Jordan into three main landscapes and one seascape based on Al Eisawi (1996) as shown in Figure (1).

Figure (1): the landscapes preliminary selection

The team then set the selection criteria for the landscape. Selection criteria’s were defined to contain a set of parameters designed to capture different ecological and socio-economic aspects of landscapes identified earlier. A scoring system was assigned to all indicators to facilitate data collection during stakeholder’s consultation meetings. Scores were proposed on a scale of (1) to (5) where (1) represents a very low agreement on the compliance of each landscape to the selected criteria where (5) represents the highest score. Criteria’s were categorized as follows:

A. Criteria’s on Landscape Diversity B. Criteria’s on Protection Measures Established C. Criteria’s on Biodiversity Composition D. Criteria’s on Socio- economic Aspects

A. Criteria on Landscape Diversity Landscapes with heterogeneous characteristics can provide greater biodiversity benefits than the intensively managed landscapes where natural ecosystems have been severely transformed by human practices. Therefore, a list of criteria’s were concluded which shall assist in identifying landscape of interest and these are: • Diversity of natural ecosystems (Wadi, water stream, river, dam, water springs, hill, and mountain, etc.): Data and map for the distribution of natural ecosystems among the country of Jordan were used to assess the natural diversity of ecosystems. These data were aggregated into landscape-level using Arc-GIS analysis tools and determined the numbers for each landscape and then getting score from 1 (Low diversity) to 3 (High diversity) as summarized in Table (1).

Table (1): Diversity of natural ecosystems data and score Northern Southern Jordan Eastern North- Eastern Landscape Mountainous Mountainous Valley Desert Desert Terrain Terrain No. of natural ecosystems (Wadi, water stream, river, 286 449 276 66 83 dam, springs, hill, mountain) Score 2.2 3.0 2.2 1.0 1.1

• Diversity of natural Land use: Annual Landcover dataset for the year of 2018 (spatial resolution: 100 m) from FAO WAPOR Database was used to assess the natural Land use diversity. The classification of this land cover dataset is based on the Land Cover Classification System (LCCS) that was developed by FAO, which includes different land classes such as Scrubland, Grassland, Cropland, rainfed, Cropland, irrigated or underwater management, Cropland, fallow, Bare/ sparse vegetation, Tree cover: open type, Tree

cover: closed type, Shrub or herbaceous cover, flooded, Water bodies, etc. Arc-GIS analysis tools were used to determine the number of land classes for each landscape and then getting score from 1 (Low diversity) to 3 (High diversity) as summarized in Table (2).

Table (2): Diversity of natural Land use value and score Northern Southern Jordan Eastern North- Eastern Landscape Mountainous Mountainous Valley Desert Desert Terrain Terrain No. of natural Land use 10 14 10 9 10 class Score 1.6 3.0 1.6 1.0 1.6

• Availability of transboundary water basin: most of Jordan’s water resources (surface and groundwater) are shared with neighboring countries and the majority of these shared resources originate outside the country such as Jordan River, Yarmouk River, Dead Sea, Disi Aquifer, Yarmouk basin, etc.

B. Criteria on Protection Measures Established More resilience landscapes could be achieved with conservation measures including the presence of a network of conservation areas. If no protection measures were established within each landscape, then degradation to habitats will occur, which in consequence will affect socioeconomic factors. The distribution map of the Protection Measures (both established and proposed) was obtained from The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN). The collected data was aggregated into landscape-level using Arc-GIS analysis tools, determine the number of the Protection Measures established and proposed for each landscape and then getting score from 1 (Low protection measure) to 3 (High protection measure) as summarized in Table (3). Table (3): Protection Measures data and score Northern Southern Jordan Eastern North- Eastern Landscape Mountainous Mountainous Valley Desert Desert Terrain Terrain No. of Protection Measures 5 5 5 1 4

score 3.0 3.0 3.0 1.0 2.0

C. Criteria on Biodiversity Composition Species diversity is considered an indicator for landscape availability. In addition, biodiversity contributes to community and landscape resilience by providing ecosystem services, which are sustained or degraded by the practices of human well- beings activities that regulate the use of natural resources. Moreover, agricultural biodiversity provide an important provision for human

socio-economic perspectives as it provides food, fodder and fuel. Therefore, these criteria shall be defined based on the following points.

• Diversity of wild flora species within the selected landscape (species richness, threatened species, endemic species, species with range extent … etc.) • Diversity of wild fauna species (mammals, reptiles, amphibians, freshwater, and birds) within the selected landscape (species richness, threatened species, endemic species, and species with range extent… etc.) • Number of threatened flora species within the selected landscape (critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable species) • Number of threatened fauna species within the selected landscape (critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable species)

The distribution maps of the species (both flora and fauna) among the country of Jordan were obtained from The Royal Marine Conservation Society of Jordan (JREDS). These data were aggregated into the landscape level and determine the number of species (Flora, Mammalian, Reptilian, Amphibians, Birds) in each landscape and then getting score from 1 (Low diversity to 3 (High diversity) as summarized in Table (4).:

Table (4): Biodiversity Composition data and score Number of species Landscape Flora Mammalian Reptilian Amphibians species species species species Birds species Jordan Valley 6 208 15 9 424 Northern Mountainous Terrain 9 434 5 38 501 Southern Mountainous Terrain 10 208 11 6 440 Eastern Desert 3 39 2 3 136 North- Eastern Desert 3 187 1 9 501 Scores Jordan Valley 1.9 2.0 3.0 1.6 2.2 Northern Mountainous Terrain 2.4 3.0 1.7 3.0 3.0 Southern Mountainous Terrain 3.0 2.0 2.5 1.3 2.4 Eastern Desert 1.0 1.0 1.2 1.0 1.0 North- Eastern Desert 1.0 1.8 1.0 1.6 3.0

D. Criteria on socioeconomic aspects Socio- economic aspects are considered an important and integral part, which shall be included in the criteria’s for a better assessment of each landscape. If inequalities, marginalization and

social exclusion of a group of people due to their gender and\ or age, then this can hinder the ability of these groups to strengthen the resilience of their landscapes. Each group holds detailed knowledge and skills related to biodiversity. In addition, the availability of efficient infrastructure such as communication, health and education will increase resilience of local communities to meet various needs. The following were used as guidance while assessing these criteria:

• Socio-economic infrastructure: data for the presence and number of schools, hospitals, medical centers, pharmacy, colleges and universities were used as indicators to measure the availability of Socio-economic infrastructure adequate for the local community’s needs. These data were obtained from DOS Annual Book 2018, Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry of Education (MOE). • Vulnerability to social and economic insatiability: data about refugee density, Illiteracy rate, average annual income rate, unemployment rate, poverty rate were used as indicators to measure the social and economic stability of the local communities. These data were also obtained from DOS Census, 2015 and DOS Annual Book, 2018. • Potential for upscaling the impacts: data about the population density and availability of civil society organization were used as indicators to measure the potential to upscaling the impacts of GEF SGP programme. These data were obtained from DOS Census, 2015 and from Jordan Cooperative Corporation (JCC) and Ministry of Social Development. • Gender Equality: data about Illiteracy rate and Unemployment rate for female, in addition to data about the number civil society organization led by women from Jordan Cooperative Corporation (JCC) and Ministry of Social Development were used as indicators to measure the gender equality.

The collected Socio-economic data were converted from the governorate level into the landscape level using Arc-GIS and then then getting score from 1 (Low Socio-economic condition) to 3 (High Socio-economic condition) as summarized in Table (5), Table (6) and Table (7).

Table (5): The collected data socioeconomic aspects criteria for at governorate level Criteria on socioeconomic Ajloun Amman Aqaba Balqa Irbid Jerash Karak Maan Madaba Mafraq Tafilah Zarqa aspects Hospital & 32 314 28 88 175 36 83 50 37 96 30 65 Medical Centre Availability of Pharmacy 9 1389 29 77 184 27 40 17 42 40 9 169 socioeconomic infrastructure School 1166 2589 1636 1291 1910 1174 974 673 1023 1104 724 2814 College & 2 69 2 11 16 2 6 2 0 3 1 9 University Refugee 7.3 10.6 4.9 6.0 18.0 21.8 4.6 4.6 7.5 36.2 1.4 16.3 Density Vulnerability to Unemployment 20.0 18.7 18.5 18.5 16.5 19.8 15.4 20.5 23.2 18.9 23.5 20.4 social and rate economic Poverty rate 25.6 11.4 19.2 20.9 15 20.3 13.4 26.6 15.1 19.2 17.2 14.1 insatiability Illiteracy rate 8.0 7.9 11.8 12.6 8.3 8.3 11.8 14.8 10.5 17.4 9.4 8.3 Income rate 10051 12657 10303 114509 10432 9078 11755 9576 10414 9139 10133 9563 Population Potential for 420 529 27 439 1126 579 91 4 201 21 44 287 Density upscaling the Availability of impacts 329 3023 215 462 969 235 445 321 296 681 202 599 CSOs Illiteracy rate 8.8 5.4 8.5 9.7 6.9 8.3 11 18 10.2 11.6 12 6.5 (Female) Unemployment Gender Equality 34.5 24 30.8 24 30.7 35.8 18 25.4 24.4 28.7 40.7 28.4 rate (Female) CBOs led by 25 128 19 34 66 13 38 31 22 36 17 31 women

Table (6): The collected data socio-economic aspects criteria for at Landscape level Northern Southern Eastern Jordan North- Eastern Criteria on socioeconomic aspects Mountainous Mountainous Desert Valley Desert Terrain Terrain Hospital & Medical 60 55 107 168 36 Centre Availability of socioeconomic Pharmacy 69 46 151 538 22 infrastructure School 751 1362 1420 1805 1188 College & University 5 4 8 29 2 Refugee Density 5 6 32 12 4 Vulnerability Unemployment rate 20.4 18.6 19.1 18.3 19.8 to social and Poverty rate 25.7 17.6 18.0 14.7 21.4 economic insatiability Illiteracy rate 14.4 11.4 15.6 10.0 12.5 Income rate 9735 25001 9442 17037 10039 Potential for Population Density 26 173 90 425 22 upscaling the impacts Availability of CBOs 422 338 835 1416 250 Illiteracy rate 17.3 9.4 10.6 8.1 12.2 (Female) Gender Unemployment rate 43.7 11.4 64.1 45.5 14.0 Equality (Female) CBOs led by women 17 10 35 176 10

Table (7): Socio- economic aspects criteria at Landscape level/scores Eastern Jordan North- Eastern Northern Southern GEF Landscape Mountainous Mountainous Desert Valley Desert Terrain Terrain Availability of socioeconomic 1.0 1.9 2.1 3.0 1.5 infrastructure Vulnerability to social and 2.5 1.3 2.5 1.4 2.1 economic insatiability Potential for upscaling the 1.2 1.7 1.8 3.0 1.0 impacts Gender Equality 2.7 1.8 2.3 1.4 2.1

Final Score/Landscape 1.9 1.7 2.2 2.2 1.7

2.2 Meeting with the stakeholders

The consultancy team presented the preliminary findings of the landscape to the GEF SGP National Steering Committee through conducting key informant interviews. The National Steering Committee recommended to consider the socioeconomics aspect in the threat and baseline assessment of the selected landscape, pay more attention to the ecological areas in the selected landscape, In addition to reviewing the current projects and initiatives in the climate change and POPs in order to integrate them in the GEF/SGP porgamme. In this regard, the consultancy team assess the socioeconomics vulnerability of the targeted governorates in the selected landscape and then add this assessment as overlying layer (lens) into the threat assessment of each GEF/SGP theme. Moreover, the consultancy team develop map for the main ecological areas within the selected landscape that was obtained by RSCN.

2.3 Selection of the targeted landscape One of the key elements of SGP’s implementation in OP6 and OP7 is the development of landscape/seascape approaches within countries to better focus grant-making and promoting strategic programming and clustering of small grant projects with the aim to achieve greater impact and lead to synergies and opportunities for scaling up. The selected landscape will receive 70% of the SGP grants during the OP7, whereas other landscapes/seascape will be granted up to 30% based on the criteria mentioned earlier (section 3.1). For the purpose of landscape selection, the consultancy team developed a selection matrix to compare between the different landscapes. The matrix includes specific criteria, including landscape diversity, protection measures established, biodiversity composition, and socioeconomic aspects. Each criterion has a set of sub-criteria, where a specific weighing system is adopted. The weights ranged from 1 to 5, where (1) refers to (very low), (2) to (low), (3) medium, (4) high and (5) refers to (very high). Weights were given to each line based on the consultation meetings with the stakeholders and the available published information (i.e. Department of Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment and previous environmental projects) (Table 8). It is worth mentioning here that the only seascape in Jordan (Gulf of Aqaba) was not included in the selection matrix based on the recommendation from the National Steering Committee.

Table (8): Multi-criteria landscape selection matrix Easter Jorda North- Northern Southern CRITERIA/LANDSCAPE n n Eastern Mountainous Mountainou Desert Valley Desert Terrain s Terrain

Diversity of natural ecosystems 1.00 2.25 1.10 3.00 2.20

Diversity of Land use 1.00 1.63 1.63 3.00 1.63 Diversity

Landscape Availability of transboundary 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 water basin

Landscape Diversity score 1.67 2.29 1.91 3.00 2.28

Availability of formal and Future 1.00 3.00 2.00 3.00 3.00

protection zones

Measures

Protection Established

Protection Measures Established score 1.00 3.00 2.00 3.00 3.00

Diversity of flora species 1.00 1.94 1.00 2.40 3.00

Diversity of mammalian species 1.00 1.96 1.84 3.00 1.96

Diversity of reptilian species 1.17 3.00 1.00 1.69 2.51

Diversity of amphibians species 1.00 1.60 1.60 3.00 1.30

Diversity of birds species 1.00 2.23 3.00 3.00 2.39 BiodiversityComposition Biodiversity Composition score 1.03 2.15 1.69 2.62 2.23

Availability of socioeconomic 1.00 1.86 2.13 3.00 1.54 infrastructure Vulnerability to social and 2.51 1.34 2.51 1.35 2.12 economic insatiability Potential for upscaling the 1.23 1.71 1.85 3.00 1.00 impacts

SocioeconomicAspect Gender Equality 2.70 1.79 2.34 1.45 2.05 Socioeconomic Aspect score 1.86 1.67 2.21 2.20 1.68 TOTAL SCORE 1.39 2.28 1.95 2.70 2.30

Based on the foregoing, the consultancy team looked into all criteria across the landscapes as shown in the figures below. The northern highlands landscape has received the highest average value and accordingly selected for the SGP OP7 (70%) grants (Figure 3).

Figure (3): The selected landscape administrative level (governorate and district level).

3. Baseline assessment in the selected landscape The consultancy team assessed the threat across the selected landscape i.e. Northern Highlands, so as to provide the grant makers with a decision tool to allocate the resources in a strategic manner. A threat assessment template was developed and filled based on the consultation meetings and the published literatures and assessments.

3.1 Assessment of the biodiversity (BD) in the selected landscape and the associated threats 3.1.1 Over-Hunting of terrestrial animals: The violation database against wildlife, available at the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), and the Royal Department for Environmental Protection (RDEP) was investigated to understand impact of hunting over the Jordanian territories. It was clear that the majority of hunting violation were reported from Irbid, Amman, Balqa and Karak followed by Ajloun, Jarash, Mafraq and Madaba and the least were found at Zarqa.

3.1.2 Over-cutting of terrestrial plant species: Literature on terrestrial plan species and the flora red list assessment produced by the Royal Botanical Garden (RBG) were reviewed. The dense vegetation was found at the north western parts of Jordan, where the majority of threats are occurring and represented basically with Ajloun and Jarash, while Irbid followed and other vicinities were the least. It worth mentioning that no threats at Amman and Zarqa vicinity were found.

3.1.3 Invasive alien species: Literature on invasive species of Jordan, represented by a scientific paper published for introduced and invasive fauna species as well as notes received on invasive flora species were reviewed. Based on the distribution maps provided within these papers, the threat analysis was conducted.

3.1.4 Habitat Shifting & Alteration: State of Environment national report as well as other documents including the biodiversity strategy and action plan was reviewed. Based on their assessment, a detailed threat analysis was made for Jordan’s vicinities. Population growth details were also investigated and correlated to species distribution maps produced for Jordan’s fauna and flora.

3.1.5 Climate variability, such as extreme weather events (drought, flooding, heat wave, .etc.) Third National Communication report submitted to the UNFCCC was reviewed and threat analysis was made according to the vulnerability assessment made. 3.1.6 Urbanization: the urbanization rate from DOS Census, 2015 was used. 3.1.7 Overexploitation, and pollution of natural resources: A review of major urbanization areas was reviewed from the Department of Statistics (dos) available online. Population growth details

were also investigated and correlated to species distribution maps produced for Jordan’s fauna and flora Threat analysis was made based on the results viewed.

Reports on water resources, and pollution rate were reviewed and accompanied with the details available on wildlife species presence based on the maps produced for fauna and flora. Population growth details were also investigated and correlated to species distribution maps produced for Jordan’s fauna and flora. All results were combined and threat analysis was performed.

Table (9): Baseline and threat assessment score of the “Biodiversity” in the selected landscape Northern Region Central Region South Region Subcategory Irbid Ajloun Jarash Mafraq Amman Zarqa Balqa Madaba Karak Over-Hunting of 3 2 2 2 3 1 3 2 3 terrestrial animals Over-cutting of terrestrial 2 3 3 1 0 0 1 1 1 plant species Invasive alien species 3 2 2 1 1 0 1 1 2 Habitat Shifting & 3 2 2 1 3 3 2 2 1 Alteration Climate variability, such as extreme weather events (drought, 1 2 2 3 1 1 1 2 2 flooding, heat wave, .etc.) Urbanization 2.7 2.1 1.8 1.5 3.0 2.9 2.0 1.8 1.0 Overexploitation, and pollution of natural 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 resources

In the previous operation phase (OP6) of GEF/SGP, 35 projects were awarded in biodiversity and 24 projects were within the selected landscape as shown in Figure (5).

Figure (4): Main Ecological Areas in Jordan

Biodiversity (BD)

4 4

2 2 2 2 GEF OP6 Project GEFOP6

IRBID AJLOUN JARASH MAFRAQAMMAN ZARQA BALQA MADABA KARAK

Figure (5): the distribution of GEF/SGP awarded projects in OP6 among the targeted governorates/ Biodiversity

3.2 Assessment of the land degradation (LD) in the selected landscape and the associated threats Three indicators were used to assess the land degradation: Land cover change, soil erosion and overexploitatio water resources as the following: 3.2.1 Land cover change: Land cover change analysis performed using remotely sensed land cover data for 2001-2006 and 2011-2016 considering changes on a yearly basis and with a spatial resolution of 500m. Data is sourced from MODIS (NASA) from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Changes over time are expressed as the difference between the two times: (2001-2006) and (2011-2016). The changes values among the country of Jordan were from +34 to -25 where negative values indicate a degradation of the land cover, zero indicates no change in land cover and positive values indicate improvement in the land cover as shown in Figure (6). After that, the average change is calculated for each targeted governorate using Arc-GIS analysis tools and then classsiefed into 3 (High negative change) to 1 (Low negative change) as shown in Table (10).

Figure (6): Land cover change among Jordan, data source: WFP/ICA: GIS Analysis of NASA MODIS 2001-2016, WorldClim 1970-2000, FAO and NASA SRTM Digital Elevation Model data.

Table (10): Land cover change (Value and score) Northern Region Central Region South Region Subcategory Irbid Ajloun Jarash Mafraq Amman Zarqa Balqa Madaba Karak Land cover change -1.10 -1.80 -2.00 -0.60 -0.20 -0.70 -1.70 -2.10 -1.00 (Value) Land cover change 2 3 3 1 1 1 3 3 2 (Score)

3.2.2 Soil Erosion: The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) was used to measure the soil ersion. In its original form it is expressed as: Erosion=R∙K∙LS∙C∙P Where R stands for rainfall/runoff factor, K stands for soil property in lithological terms, LS stands for slope length, C stands for predominant land use and P indicates a protective factor, such as the presence of infrastructure apt to decrease soil erosion. In general, data on the P factor are hard to find, so a simplified version has been developed which relies on four key elements: ▪ Rainfall incidence, WorldClim, 1970 - 2000 (~1 km resolution); ▪ Soil lithology calculated from the FAO Digital Soil Map of the World v3.6, 2003; ▪ Land cover extracted from NASA MODIS MCD12Q1 product (~250m resolution); ▪ Slope length calculated from NASA SRTM Digital Elevation Model (500m resolution) using SAGA-GIS.

Figure (7): Soil Erosion, data source: WFP/ICA: GIS analysis using RUSLE equation, FAO, NASA and WorldClim data

Table (11): Soil Erosion (Value and score) South Northern Region Central Region Subcategory Region Irbid Ajloun Jarash Mafraq Amman Zarqa Balqa Madaba Karak Soil Erosion 10.50 4.10 23.70 3.10 3.70 3.50 33.00 25.60 24.50 (tons⁄(ha∙y)) Soil Erosion (Score) 1 3 2 0 0 0 3 3 2

3.2.2 Overexploitation of the water resources: Over abstraction of groundwater resouces was used as indicator for Overexploitation of the water resources. Data for Groundwater basins, Safe Yield, Abstraction Volumes and Deficits in 2017 was obtained from Ministry of water and Irrigation publication/ Jordan Water Sector Facts & Figures 2017 as shown in Figure (8). The average water deficit of groundwater basins were calculated in each targted governorate and then classified from 1 (Low overexploitation) to 3 (High overexploitation) using Arc-GIS analysis tools as shown in Table (12).

Figure (8): Groundwater Basin Deficit (MCM), 2017

Table (12): Overexploitation of the water resources (value and score) South Northern Region Central Region Subcategory Region Irbid Ajloun Jarash Mafraq Amman Zarqa Balqa Madaba Karak Overexploitation of the -21.0 -31.5 -66.3 -54.5 -43.4 -77.5 -45.8 -27.0 -26.9 water resources (MCM) Overexploitation of the 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 water resources (Score)

In the previous operation phase (OP6) of GEF/SGP, only 4 projects were awarded in land degradation theme and 3 projects were within the selected landscape as shown in Figure (9).

Land Degradation (LD)

1 1 GEF OP6 Project GEFOP6

0 0 0 0 0 0

IRBID AJLOUN JARASH MAFRAQ AMMAN ZARQA BALQA MADABA KARAK

Figure (9): the distribution of GEF/SGP awarded projects in OP6 among the targeted governorates/ land degradation

3.3 Assessment of the climate change (CC) in the selected landscape and the associated threats Flood hazard, drought vulnerability, Industrial activities that produced gas emission and Livestock Farming & Ranching and urbanization were used as indicator to measure the threat associated with climate change. Detail description of each indicator are summarized as the following: 3.3.1 Drought Vulnerability: Drought data was obtained from the “CDI Validation summary report and drought vulnerability maps” report produced by UNDP in 2018 and valid for the period between 1980 and 2016 as shown in Figure (10. The key indicators used were natural factors related to exposure and a combination of natural and human-driven factors for the sensitivity. Adaptive capacity, on the other hand, has been based on the availability of resources, socioeconomic indicators, legislation and capacity of relevant institutions and society. The original dataset was aggregated to the second-level administrative level (Liwa’a). The average drought vulnerability were calculated for each targeted governorate and then classified from 1 (Low) to 3 (High) using Arc-GIS analysis tools as shown in Table (13).

Figure (10): Drought Vulnerability, Data source: “CDI Validation summary report and drought vulnerability maps”, UNDP 2018.

Table (13): Drought vulnerability (Score) South Northern Region Central Region Subcategory Region Irbid Ajloun Jarash Mafraq Amman Zarqa Balqa Madaba Karak Drought vulnerability 2.1 2.2 2.0 2.6 1.9 2.0 2.1 3.0 1.9 (Score)

3.3.2 Flood Hazard: Flood data was obtained from the Ministry of Water and Irrigation (MoWI) and was available from 1991 through 2011 as shown in Figure (11). The key indicator used was the normalized flood intensity, expressed in terms of ratio between the peak flow and the drainage area. The original dataset was aggregated to the second-level administrative level (Liwa’a). The average flood hazard were calculated for each targeted governorate and then classified from 1 (Low) to 3 (High) using Arc-GIS analysis tools as shown in Table (14).

Figure (11): Flood Hazard, Data source: WFP Integrated Context Analysis (ICA), Jordan, 2019

Table (14): Flood Hazard (Score) South Northern Region Central Region Subcategory Region Irbid Ajloun Jarash Mafraq Amman Zarqa Balqa Madaba Karak Flood Hazard 2.6 3 2 1.6 1.8 1.9 2.8 2 1.1 (Score)

In the previous operation phase (OP6) of GEF/SGP, only 3 projects were awarded in climate change theme within the selected landscape as shown in Figure (12).

Climate Change (CC)

1 1

1 GEF OP6 Project GEFOP6

0 0 0 0 0 0

IRBID AJLOUN JARASH MAFRAQ AMMAN ZARQA BALQA MADABA KARAK

Figure (12): the distribution of GEF/SGP awarded projects in OP6 among the targeted governorates/ climate change

3.4 Assessment of the Persistent Organic Pollutants in the selected landscape and the associated threats The threat related to Persistent Organic Pollutants in Northern Terrain Landscape is relatively high as there are many industrial and agricultural activities in Amman, Irbid, Zarqa, Mafraq and Jerash, for instance, Al-Hassan Industrial Estate, Kind Abdallah II industrial city and the industrial activities along the Zarqa river are threatening the surrounding environment as they often illegally handle and dispose the chemical and heavy metal into the environment. In addition, most of areas in the Northern Terrain Landscape is agricultural areas and hence is vulnerable to over-using of pesticides and herbicides for agriculture purposes as summarized in Table (15).

In this regard, UNDP/GEF currently start implementing project entitled “Reduction and elimination of POPs and other chemical releases through implementation of environmentally sound management of E-Waste, healthcare waste and priority U-POPs release sources associated with general waste management activities” and the Implementing Partner is the Ministry of Environment. The project is designed with the three components: Project Component 1: Development of an environmentally sound management (ESM) system for E-waste, which has the objective to improve and enforce the E-waste regulation in the country, and to develop capacity for the collection and disposal of POPs contaminated E-waste products and end-of-life articles; Project Component 2: Achievement of environmentally sound healthcare waste management (HCW), which has the objective to build on the existing potential of the country to further improve and extend the current HCW practices, including training, certification and procurement of HCW waste treatment technology; Project Component 3: Development of waste diversion/resource recovery capacity for reduction in U-POPs emissions, accompanied by GHG

related improvements, with the objective to demonstrate minimization in the amount of municipal waste (containing potentially hazardous fractions such as plastic etc) improperly dumped or disposed of through recycling techniques and application of reverse-derived fuel (RDF) principles in modern qualified cement kiln industry, including improved management of hazardous waste through establishing of a public/private partnership.

Table (15): Threat assessment of the “Persistent Organic Pollutants”

Northern Region Central Region South Region Subcategory Irbid Ajloun Jarash Mafraq Amman Zarqa Balqa Madaba Karak Over-using of pesticides and herbicides in agriculture 290245 40194 70008 166530 101337 11480 258592 24693 89390 practices (Agricultural area: Dunum) Score 3.0 1.3 1.6 2.3 1.9 1.0 2.8 1.1 1.7 The presence of industrial activities that illegally handling and disposing of chemical and 3664 462 487 684 9569 3192 1353 447 696 heavy metal into the environment (Number of factories) Score 2.2 1.0 1.0 1.1 3.0 2.1 1.5 1.0 1.1

In the previous operation phase (OP6) of GEF/SGP, only 3 projects were awarded in Persistent Organic Pollutants theme within the selected landscape as shown in Figure (13).

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

1 1 GEF OP6 Project GEFOP6

0 0 0 0 0 0

IRBID AJLOUN JARASH MAFRAQ AMMAN ZARQA BALQA MADABA KARAK

Figure (13): the distribution of GEF/SGP awarded projects in OP6 among the targeted governorates/ Persistent Organic Pollutants

3.5 Assessment of the International Water in the selected landscape and the associated threats International Waters There is only one transboundary groundwater basin (Yarmouk Basin) in the selected landscape and hence Irbid and Mafraq governorates are suffering from threatened ecosystem services, overexploitation and disputes for water rights on the sharing this transboundary water basin. In the previous operation phase (OP6) of GEF/SGP, there was no projects were awarded in International Water theme within and outside the selected landscape.

3.6 Assessment of Socio-economic Vulnerability: The socioeconomic conditions and livelihood characteristics are also considered in threat assessment. The latest number of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics related to employment, education, income, poverty, access to public services were collected at governorate level as summarized in Table (16) and then getting score from 1 (low vulnerable) to 3 (high vulnerable). After that the average value of scores were calculated for each governorate as summarized in Table (17) and Table (18). The results indicated that the community in Mafraq governorate is the most vulnerable to socioeconomic instability, whereas the community in Amman is the lowest socioeconomic vulnerability.

Table (16): Assessment of Socio-economic Vulnerability (value) Northern Region Central Region South Region Subcategory Irbid Ajloun Jarash Mafraq Amman Zarqa Balqa Madaba Karak Refugee Density 18 7.3 21.8 36.2 10.6 16.3 6 7.5 4.6 Unemployment 16.5 20 19.8 18.9 18.7 20.4 18.5 23.2 15.4 rate Poverty rate 15 25.6 20.3 19.2 11.4 14.1 20.9 15.1 13.4 Illiteracy rate 8.3 8 8.3 17.4 7.9 8.3 12.6 10.5 11.8 Annual Income 10,432 10,051 9,078 9,139 12,657 9,563 11,451 10,414 11,755 rate Illiteracy rate 6.9 8.8 8.3 11.6 5.4 6.5 9.7 10.2 11 (Female) Unemployment 30.7 34.5 35.8 28.7 24 28.4 24 24.4 18 rate (Female) CBOs led by 66 25 13 36 128 31 34 22 38 women Access to sewer 57.2 61.8 51.3 83.2 25.6 20.6 45.1 47.9 79.6 system Access to health 21.6 13.1 15.7 20 44.8 23.8 39.4 22.5 13.8 Marginal and 0.6 0.4 1.3 17.3 0.7 9.9 2.1 0.7 0.2 Mobile house

Table (17): Assessment of Socio-economic Vulnerability (score) Northern Region Central Region South Region Subcategory Irbid Ajloun Jarash Mafraq Amman Zarqa Balqa Madaba Karak Refugee Density 2.2 1.3 2.3 3.0 1.6 2.1 1.1 1.3 1.0 Unemployment 1.3 2.2 2.2 2.0 1.9 2.3 1.9 3.0 1.0 rate Poverty rate 1.6 3.0 2.4 2.2 1.0 1.5 2.4 1.6 1.3 Illiteracy rate 1.2 1.0 1.2 2.0 1.0 1.2 2.3 2.1 2.2 Annual Income rate 2.1 2.3 3.0 3.0 1.0 2.7 1.6 2.1 1.4 Illiteracy rate 1.5 2.0 1.9 3.0 1.0 1.3 2.3 2.5 2.8 (Female) Unemployment 2.4 2.8 3.0 2.1 1.6 2.1 1.6 1.7 1.0 rate (Female) CBOs led by 1.7 2.6 3.0 2.3 1.0 2.4 2.3 2.7 2.2 women Access to sewer 2.2 2.3 2.0 3.0 1.2 1.0 1.8 1.9 2.9 system Access to health 1.8 1.0 1.2 1.6 3.0 2.0 2.7 1.9 1.1 Marginal and 1.1 1.1 1.3 3.0 1.1 2.5 1.5 1.1 1.0 Mobile house Average Score 1.7 2.0 2.1 2.5 1.4 1.9 2.0 2.0 1.6

4. The project typologies in the selected landscape

In designing the project typologies for the selected landscape, the consultation meetings with all stakeholders as well as with the national steering committee and the national coordinator identified the following aspects for the projects that will be granted:

Based on the threat assessment and the consultation meetings in the selected landscapes, the project typologies in the selected landscape (Northern Highlands) are as follows:

▪ Promoting the eco-tourism activities in Yarmouk Ajloun and natural reserves, ▪ Conserving the biodiversity in Jerash, Ajloun and in Zarqa-river basin; ▪ Promote public participation\awareness towards protecting cultural and natural heritage. ▪ Supporting the efforts of conserving the endangered plant species. SGP grants can complement the efforts being made by the Royal Botanic Garden. ▪ Combating land degradation and promoting afforestation/reforestation. ▪ Integrated Water Resources Management activities, including wastewater treatment and reuse, particularly promoting the decentralized treatment. 2. Climate smart innovative agro-ecology: the objective is to use smart agricultural practices that would improve the water productivity and increase the resilience of farmers in areas of Zarqa-river basin and in the Highlands. Several projects can be proposed under this strategic initiative, such as: - Storm water harvesting for agricultural purposes (known as green infrastructure). - Introducing organic farming practices.

- Promoting responsible agricultural practices in Highlands, where groundwater is being overexploited without clear strategy for conservation.

• Social marketing campaign including promoting awareness and demonstration actions that are related to energy conservation such as turning off lights, using solar energy (PVs) and solar water heaters. • Reduce local population dependence on forest wood, thus keeping the forests from the illegal cutting practices. Extra attention should be given to Debbin forests in this regards. • Researching co-benefits of alternative energy sources, which could potentially guide and inform scaling up and policy development (e.g. reduced deforestation, improved carbon sequestration and climate resilience; reducing poverty, improving livelihoods, and stimulating economic development).

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ANNEX 2

Letter of Agreement Concerning Establishing Regional Coordination Framework, Between GEF SGP Jordan and GEF SGP Palestinian Authority